Acceptance status and influencing factors of advance care planning among elderly patients with chronic disease

The aging population has become a severe public health issue both in China and globally. Over 180 million elderly people in China have chronic diseases, with 75% of them suffering from 2 or more chronic diseases, posing significant threats to their independence and quality of life, and imposing immense mental and disease burdens on patients and their families. So our research analyzes the influencing factors based on the current acceptance status of advance care planning (ACP) among elderly patients with chronic diseases. Using convenience sampling, 120 elderly inpatients from the geriatrics department of a tertiary hospital in Beijing, from June 2023 to March 2024, were selected. Surveys included a general information questionnaire, an ACP acceptance questionnaire, and the revised version of the Terminal Care Experience and Death Attitude Profile. The total ACP acceptance score among elderly patients with chronic diseases was 73.98 ± 9.84 points. Factors influencing ACP acceptance included fear of death, whether the patient had cared for a dying relative, duration of chronic illness, presence of complications, natural acceptance, and religious beliefs (P < .05). The acceptance level of ACP among elderly patients with chronic diseases is moderately high. Medical staff should provide more choices to enhance the life value of elderly patients with chronic diseases based on fully respecting their wishes.