Assessing Advance Care Planning Readiness in Older Adults

The purpose of this pilot posttest-only, randomized, controlled group study was to evaluate if a combination of educational methods (written, video, and/or group discussion) would improve the readiness of older adults to participate in advance care planning (ACP). Participants were 65 years and older, English-speaking, receiving outpatient care, having at least one life-limiting illness, and without an advance directive. An independent t test and 1-way analysis of variance compared responses to 9 survey questions of readiness between the control group and the intervention groups. This pilot study found that educational materials are useful resources to acquaint patients with ACP, but they may be more effective if complemented with other approaches to increase patient awareness and readiness to create an ACP.