title: Completion of advance directives among low-income older adults: does race/ethnicity matter?
abstract: This study examined the prevalence of completion of advance directives (ADs) and the effects of race/ethnicity on AD completion using a cross-sectional design. Low-income older adults (n = 256) who were residents of supportive housing facilities or members of a senior center were interviewed in person. About 20% of the participants had completed ADs. Knowledge and attitudes toward ADs, income, and previous experience in an intensive care unit significantly predicted the completion of ADs after controlling for other factors. Those with higher levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, or those with higher incomes were more likely to complete ADs than their counterparts. Findings suggest that as a proxy for multiple socioeconomic, social and cultural factors, race, and ethnicity need to be considered in planning end-of-life care.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Eunjeong
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Jaehoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D032722:Advance Care Planning / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016223:Advance Directives / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: advance directives; cultural competence; end-of-life care; low income; older adults; race/ethnicity