Ethical Risks of Underestimating Life Expectancy in Life Care Planning Practice

Ethical risks of underestimating life expectancy (LE) estimates for use in life care planning are analyzed. The effects of underestimated LE on the predictive validity of life care plans, the effects on individuals living with disability, and the overall ethical implications for professional practice are discussed. Limitations of current studies of mortality rates among people with different disabilities are addressed, including the lack of attention to economic status and the availability of appropriate health care. Evidence of the effect of poverty on LE estimates, as well as the prevalence of poverty among people living with disability, is presented.