Caregivers' Views on Advance Care Planning for Dementia Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Zhang Yuchen, Sereika Susan, Lingler Jennifer, Seaman Jennifer, Pettigrew Corinne, Albert Marilyn
Primary Institution: University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
Hypothesis
Caregivers' understanding of advance care planning discussions between people living with dementia and their healthcare clinicians can be characterized.
Conclusion
Caregivers need more proactive involvement in advance care planning discussions, especially for patients in earlier stages of dementia.
Supporting Evidence
- 95.1% of caregivers were the care recipient’s designated healthcare proxy.
- 30.9% of caregivers were aware of discussions about medical treatment preferences.
- Caregivers who did not live with PwD were more likely to know about discussions.
- Higher dementia knowledge scores were linked to a greater need for further discussions.
Takeaway
This study shows that caregivers of dementia patients often don't know about important medical discussions, and they need to be included more in these talks.
Methodology
The study used a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey administered to caregivers.
Participant Demographics
Caregivers had a mean age of 78.3 years, were predominantly white (88.5%), and highly educated (mean=15.9 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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