title: Frequency and correlates of advance planning among cognitively impaired older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of written advance planning among patients with or at risk for dementia-imposed decisional incapacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based memory disorders clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Persons with a consensus-based diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (N = 112), probable or possible Alzheimer disease (AD; N = 549), and nondemented comparison subjects (N = 84).
  
  
  METHODS
  N/A.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews to assess durable power of attorney (DPOA) and living will (LW) status upon initial presentation for a dementia evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five percent of participants had a DPOA and 56% had a LW. Planning rates did not vary by diagnosis. European Americans (adjusted odds ratio = 4.75; 95% CI, 2.40-9.38), older adults (adjusted odds ratio = 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.07) and college graduates (adjusted odds ratio = 2.06; 95% CI, 1.33-3.20) were most likely to have a DPOA. Findings were similar for LW rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a majority of persons with and at risk for the sustained and progressive decisional incapacity of AD are formally planning for the future, a substantial minority are not.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. linglerjh@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer Hagerty
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lingler
authors.forename: Karen B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Hirschman
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garand
authors.forename: Mary Amanda
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dew
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Steven T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Dekosky
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors