Résumé
Introduction: The objective of this study was to identify the opinions of community-dwelling elderly people on medical treatment and care choices during the end-of-life period.Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to elderly people who participated in nursing care prevention projects implemented by two municipalities in the Kanto region. Analysis of the contents included in the free-description section of the questionnaire was conducted using a qualitative coding procedure.Results: Analysis of 135 responses in the free-description section of the questionnaire led to the development of the following four final categories: 1. end-of-life is an extension of daily life; 2. end-of-life does not belong solely to oneself; 3. consideration of loved ones; and 4. the desire to determine one's own end.Conclusion: This study identified the following: community-dwelling elderly people have a tangible feeling that "end-of-life is an extension of daily life." They experience conflicting feelings of "desire to determine their own end" and "end-of-life does not belong solely to themselves," they have thoughts that include "consideration of loved ones," which take the form of concern that, based on their experience, they will be a burden on their family and those around them.
Résumé
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that affect the expression of opinions regarding choices in end-of-life medical services by community-dwelling elderly people.Methods: We mailed a self-administered questionnaire to 780 elderly people who participated in preventive care projects in two municipalities in the Kanto region.Results: Of the 368 respondents (response rate, 47.2%), we included 348 who provided valid responses (valid response rate, 94.6%) in the analysis. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors influencing the expression of opinions regarding choices in end-of-life medical services. As a result, the experience of being at someone's deathbed was an influencing factor (p=0.046, OR=1.576).Conclusion: The factor affecting the expression of opinions regarding choice in end-of-life medical services was the experience of being at someone's deathbed.