Preferred and actual place of death among community-dwelling disabled older people: Findings from a survey of visiting nurses

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between preferred and actual place of death in community-dwelling disabled older people, based on a survey of visiting nurses. Methods: The present study was a two-year longitudinal study. At Time 1, 398 disabled older people were living together with their family caregivers. At Time 2 (two years later), the visiting nurses responded to a survey for these 398 disabled older people. The relationship between preferred and actual place of death of disabled older people was examined. Results: Of these disabled older people, 26.4% had died by Time 2. The preferences of the place of death of 60% of the disabled older people were not identified by the visiting nurses. Approximately 40% of the family caregivers' preferences concerning the place of death for their older adults were not identified by the visiting nurses. The disabled older adults tended to die at their preferred place of death if the visiting nurses had identified the preferences. Conclusion: In order to assist disabled older people to die at their preferred place of death, visiting nurses should identify the preferences of disabled older people or their family concerning the place of death of the disabled older people.