Wishes and talking about end of life
The following information is from The Conversation Project, a blog maintained by the American Geriatrics Society and their Health in Aging health education Foundation.
Consider the facts.
There’s a big gap between what people say they want and what actually happens.
60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is “extremely important”
56% have not communicated their end-of-life wishes
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
70% of people say they prefer to die at home
70% die in a hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility
Source: Centers for Disease Control (2005)
80% of people say that if seriously ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care
7% report having had an end-of-life conversation with their doctor
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
82% of people say it’s important to put their wishes in writing
23% have actually done it
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
One conversation can make all the difference.