Frequency and correlates of advance planning among cognitively impaired older adults.
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.
Lingler
Jennifer Hagerty
JH
Department of Health and Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. linglerjh@upmc.edu
Hirschman
Karen B
KB
Garand
Linda
L
Dew
Mary Amanda
MA
Becker
James T
JT
Schulz
Richard
R
Dekosky
Steven T
ST
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