Preferences Regarding and Communication About End-of-Life Care Among Older Iranian-American Adults. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahemi, Zahra; Dunphy, Lynn M.; Newman, David
• Is Part Of: Western journal of nursing research. Volume 41:Number 10(2019)
• Page Start: 1499
• Page End: 1516
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: end of life -- Iranian Americans -- older adults -- place of care -- care preference -- communication -- end-of-life care; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing Research -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers; Recherche; États-Unis (Ouest); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 610.730702
• DOI: 10.1177/0193945919832304
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-9459

Abstract

Using a cross-sectional study, this article addresses end-of-life (EOL) care for older Iranian-American adults. The purposes are twofold: (a) to explore participants' preferences for home or hospital care in the event they face EOL conditions and (b) to learn how participants prefer to communicate these preferences. Results showed that about half of the 130 participants had communicated their EOL care preferences through written documents and/or verbal discussions. A set of factors predicted the preferences (χ 2 (9) = 17.42, p < .042) and communications (χ 2 (9) = 19.54, p = .021). Regression models indicated that higher scores of social support ( p = .013) and greater numbers of cohabitants ( p = .021) were associated with a preference for home care, and experience of a loved one's death was associated with participants being willing to communicate their preferences for type of care ( p = .015). This study can bridge the gap between culturally diverse older adults' preferences and types of EOL care they ultimately receive.