Title

Factors That Influence Elders’ Decisions to Formulate Advance Directives

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1999

Published In

Journal of Gerontological Social Work

Volume

31

Issue

1-2

Pages

21-39

Abstract

Nine minority and eleven White low-income communi- ty-dwelling senior adults participated in semi-structured qualitative in- terviews regarding end-of-life deci sion-making related to the comple- tion of advance directives (e.g., living wills and health care proxies). The seniors were asked to discuss the role of their own evaluations and beliefs and their perceptions of the influence of significant others in their decisions to complete advance directives. Religious affiliation and a measure of religiosity were also examined. The participants over- whelmingly evaluated the completion of advance directives as positive, but many of the seniors reported that discussing end-of-life issues with their children was difficult. In addition, depth of religious belief figured prominently in medical treatment planning for some of the participants, particularly the minority seniors.

Keywords

Advance directives, end-of-life decision-making, religiosity

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