Factors Associated with Decision-Making Regarding End-of-Life Medical Treatment and Care Choices among Elderly

Abstract

 This study aimed to determine the factors associated with decision-making regarding end-of-life medical treatment and care choices among the elderly. A questionnaire survey was administered to 1,239 community-dwelling members of senior clubs. Among these, 421questionnaires, which did not have any missing data, were used for the analysis. We performed logistic regression to determine the relationship between end-of-life decision-making and experience in end-of-life care, death watch, education on decision-making, knowledge of medical treatments and physical conditions during the final stages, and important personal values regarding end-of-life care choices. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with decision-making regarding end-of-life medical treatment and care choices among the elderly. A questionnaire survey was administered to 1,239 community-dwelling members of senior clubs. Among these, 421questionnaires, which did not have any missing data, were used for the analysis. We performed logistic regression to determine the relationship between end-of-life decision-making and experience in end-of-life care, death watch, education on decision-making, knowledge of medical treatments and physical conditions during the final stages, and important personal values regarding end-of-life care choices. The percentage of participants with decision-making skills (Mean = 74.4 years, SD = 6.8; 54.6% males) was 22.8. The multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that factors associated with decision-making included experience in end-of-life care, education on decision-making, knowledge of physical conditions during the final stages, and the perceived importance of having a natural death.The study results suggested that knowledge regarding and personal values regarding end-of-life care choices the final stage could influence decision-making. It would be important to incorporate these elements in decision-making education.