Abstract
Death is among the most avoided topics of conversation. Although end-of-life planning may greatly benefit individuals and their survivors, research and practice indicate that family, friends, and even health care providers resist discussing end-of-life plans. Consequences of not planning ahead have created a public health issue. This article describes a community-level intervention that facilitates those necessary conversations among elders who have at least begun to talk with others about their wishes. A free, three-part educational workshop series on end-of-life planning titled “Begin with the End in Mind” was developed at a midwestern university. A survey was distributed to all attendees to learn about their beliefs regarding end-of-life planning. Inductive content analysis was used to understand participants’ thoughts about discussing end-of-life planning. Findings from 33 participants suggest a concern about making plans and ensuring others would follow their wishes. In conclusion, this article offers a roadmap for gerontologists and others to use in engaging the community to think about and act on end-of-life public health issues.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 430-446 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Gerontology and Geriatrics Education |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2020 |
Keywords
- Advance directives
- death awareness
- death education
- end-of-life education
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Geriatrics and Gerontology