title: Hoping for the Best or Planning for the Future: Decision Making and Future Care Needs.
abstract: Research has shown that relatively few older adults make plans for future care needs. In this study, we explore the thinking processes involved in planning or failing to plan for the future. Interviews were carried out with 39 older adults ( M age = 81 years) who were experiencing disability and illness but who lived in their own home. Guiding questions for the interview focused on present living circumstances, but for the present qualitative analysis, all references to the future, and to future residence changes, were extracted. This approach allowed us to observe how older adults spontaneously address issues of future planning when not constrained to do so. Results supported the use of a positivity bias, as well as a risk-aversive decision-making style. These older adults seemed to be prioritizing present emotional well-being by avoiding thoughts of future risks and thereby eschewing proactive coping.
authors.affiliation: 1 Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Odette N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.affiliation: 2 Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dupuis-Blanchard
authors.affiliation: 2 Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Lita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Villalon
authors.affiliation: 2 Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Majella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simard
authors.affiliation: 3 Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ethier
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: aging in place; decision-making and aging; future care needs; positivity bias; proactive coping