1-in-4 Older Adults Have Not Discussed Advance Care Planning

November 1, 2016 | By Scott Maier

More than one in four older adults have not engaged in planning for end-of-life care or directives, despite significant public efforts to encourage the practice. This is especially true for African Americans, Latinos and those with less education and income, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco, who advocate finding better approaches to ensure these discussions occur.

Advance care planning (ACP) includes discussions about preferences for end-of-life-care, completion of advanced directives and designation of a surrogate decision-maker in a durable power of attorney for health care. There is growing awareness of the benefits of such plans for both elders and their families, who can get mired in unexpected legal issues if no such plan exists. But until recently, it was unknown if all races/ethnicities, education levels and incomes have benefited, and if these discussions are greater among those in worse health and with poorer prognosis.

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