One in Four elderly need care decisions made for them
New study results demonstrates the value of people making their end-of-life wishes known and designating someone to make treatment decisions for them. The study, described in an Associated Press article, “1 in 4 elderly need care decisions made for them,” showed that a significant number of the elderly will eventually need someone to make end-of-life decisions about their care.
According to the article, “The researchers concluded that advance directives – living wills and health proxies chosen to make end-of-life decisions – are ‘important tools for providing care in keeping with patients’ wishes.'”
NCCS advocates the use of advance directives, which can be a critical component to care planning for people with cancer. Communicating with your health care team and making your health needs and desires known is important for anyone facing a life-limiting illness like cancer.
