HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hays, J. C. Articles by Flint, E. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hays, J. C. Articles by Flint, E. P.

Preference for Place of Death in a Continuing Care Retirement Community

Correspondence: Judith C. Hays, RN,PhD, Box 3875, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. E-mail: hays0001{at}mc.duke.edu.

Eleanor S. McConnell, RN, PhD

Purpose: To describe death-related planning and preferences for place of death among well elders in a community characterized by a low rate of hospital deaths. Design and Methods: Cross-sectional prevalence survey of independent-living residents (n = 219) of a continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) in Central North Carolina characterized by a low rate of hospital deaths. Results: Death-related planning played a part in the decision of 40% of residents to move to the CCRC. A majority of residents reported a clear preference for place of death, and a majority of these preferred to die on the CCRC campus. Most residents wanted to discuss their preferences for place of death with their health care provider. Preferences for place of death appear consistent across age cohorts and are relevant to elders' long-term care decisions. Implications: Given the striking discrepancy between patients' preferences for nonhospital deaths and the high prevalence of hospital deaths in the United States, this often-neglected issue should be routinely addressed in end-of-life planning. The CCRC may be a practice model that is particularly compatible with personal preferences for place of death.

Key Words: Terminal care • Continuity of care • Place of death • Geriatrics

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Gruneir, V. Mor, S. Weitzen, R. Truchil, J. Teno, and J. Roy Where People Die: A Multilevel Approach to Understanding Influences on Site of Death in America Med Care Res Rev, August 1, 2007; 64(4): 351 - 378. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Simmons and M. Clemons Pattern of Care at the End of Life: Does Age Make a Difference? J. Clin. Oncol., April 1, 2005; 23(10): 2441 - 2441. [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Gagnon, N. E. Mayo, J. Hanley, and N. MacDonald Pattern of Care at the End of Life: Does Age Make a Difference in What Happens to Women With Breast Cancer? J. Clin. Oncol., September 1, 2004; 22(17): 3458 - 3465. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Johnson, T. J. Gallagher, and F. D. Wolinsky The Influence of the End of Life on the Extent of Informal Help Received by Older Adults Research on Aging, March 1, 2004; 26(2): 259 - 283. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. E Cameron Older Persons' Ethical Problems Involving Their Health Nursing Ethics, September 1, 2002; 9(5): 537 - 556. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. R. Jenkins, A. M. Pienta, and A. L. Horgas Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Continuing Care Retirement Communities Research on Aging, January 1, 2002; 24(1): 124 - 149. [Abstract] [PDF]