| Keywords |
Advance directives ; Life-sustaining treatment ; Elderly |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge, experience, and preference of Advance Directives (AD) in Korean Immigrant Elderly in the US. The knowledge level of AD of participants was more than two times higher than that of the domestic elderly, and overall experience (the intention and consent to write the advance directives) with Life-Sustaining treatment was higher than in previous study targeting the domestic elderly. In particular, the experience of writing documents for Life-Sustaining treatment and Durable Power of Attorney was much higher. In the form of AD, the most common preference was selecting Living Will together with Durable Power of Attorney, and the ratio of approving the legal institutionalization of AD was much higher than that of domestic elderly. Among the unwanted Life-Sustaining treatment amongst the Korean Immigrant Elderly, cardiopulmonary resuscitation ranked the highest while total parenteral nutrition ranked the lowest. On the other hand, the most unwanted Life-Sustaining treatment among domestic elderly was artificial ventilator and total parenteral nutrition. Therefore, in order to provide nursing related to Advance Directives to the Korean Immigrant Elderly in the US, it is necessary to consider that the knowledge level is higher than that of the domestic elderly, and the experience and detailed preference items are different. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a plan to help the Korean Immigrant Elderly live a comfortable and dignified life to the last moment of their lives through the nursing intervention programs that can help them understand the Advance Directives accurately. |