Rafael Romo, PhD, RN, PHN, VA Quality Scholars Nurse Fellow, San Francisco VA Medical Center
Description: Older adults face many different healthcare choices when near the end of life and often appear to make decisions inconsistent with previously stated preferences. This presentation reports on a qualitative study that explored the processes underlying the decision making among a group of frail, community-based older adults with a limited prognosis.
Objectives: At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:
1) identify the different approaches older adults use to articulate end-of-life goals and priorities;
2) understand how these are approaches help older adults achieve a sense of control; and
3) explain the ways in which prospect theory can account for differences in decision making.
