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Table 6 Future Care Values and Preferences: Open Ended Workbook Responses

From: Using a self-directed workbook to support advance care planning with long term care home residents

 

Category

n

Excerpt Examples

Directed

Decision Making

39

"I would prefer that I have control in decision making process"

“[I’d prefer to] be aware of everything but [I] trust the doctors’ [decisions]”

“If I lose my memory or I am getting there, I would want to be taken out of the decision-making process”

Family/Friend Involvement

39

“[my SDM] is my only family. I want her to be the only one involved. She’s been along for the whole ride. She knows exactly what I want; sometimes she knows more than I do.”

“My family members may know about my disease and health condition and I am comfortable if they stay beside me at my last hours”

“Most of my family know what I want. Respect my decision. Go along with my decisions”

Treatment Care

41

“Having someone here at the nursing home with compassion and understanding, not just a worker following a health care book and doing what they choose to do to you”

“If I am young and dying, I want full treatment; if I am old, than I am okay with comfort care”

“I don’t want to suffer”

Emergent

Interpersonal Communications

14

“I just want to thank [my loved ones] for doing their best to help me”

“[I want to be sure that] everyone’s looked after. No fighting/no arguments”

“[What matters most is] saying good bye to the ones that I love”

Religious & Cultural

6

“[one of my most important EOL preferences is that] I want a pastor to recite the bible”

“Make sure my cultural wishes are followed: no autopsy, no cremation, must be in my native clothing”

“I believe in life after death. No blood transfusion”

Post-Mortem Preparations

26

“making sure my will is in order and my finances will go to my oldest son for emergencies”

“Any body part that’s good take it (organ donation)”

“I want to be cremated”