Thinking about the end of life when it is near: A comparison of German and Portuguese centenarians

TitleThinking about the end of life when it is near: A comparison of German and Portuguese centenarians
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsBoerner, K, Jopp, DS, Kim, K, Butt, A, Ribeiro, O, Araújo, L, Rott, C
JournalResearch on Aging
Volume41
Number3
Pagination265–285
ISSN0164-0275
Keywordswww
Abstract

This study examined how common thinking of and planning for the end of life (EOL) is among German and Portuguese centenarians, and whether patterns of EOL views are shaped by cultural and individual characteristics. A significant portion of centenarians in both countries reported not thinking about the EOL, not believing in the afterlife, and not having made EOL arrangements. Latent class analysis identified three EOL patterns: Class 1 (EOL thoughts with EOL arrangements and afterlife beliefs), Class 2 (EOL arrangements and afterlife beliefs without EOL thoughts), and Class 3 (Overall low endorsement of EOL items). The proportion of Portuguese centenarians was higher in Class 1 and of German centenarians higher in Classes 2 and 3. Centenarians’ demographic, social, and health characteristics were significantly different across EOL patterns. As lack of EOL planning can result in poor EOL quality, enhancing communication among centenarians, family, and health-care professionals seems imperative.

DOI10.1177/0164027518807919