AARP: Policy and Research Information for Professionals in Aging

Search Policy & Research

Advanced Search

Email Newsletter

Get updates on Policy & Research by email.

End-of-Life Issues

Caregiving and End of Life Issues: A Survey of AARP Members in Florida  / Research Report
February 2009— This May 2008 survey finds that 13% of AARP members in Florida are providing care for a relative, friend, spouse, companion, or partner. Nearly two-thirds have talked with a relative about their own wishes for care at the end of life. (33 pages)

AARP Bulletin Poll "Getting Ready to Go" Executive Summary  / Research Report
January 2008— This nationwide poll, commissioned by the AARP Bulletin, found that an overwhelming majority of adults age 35 and older are aware of steps they and their parents can take to prepare for the end of life, but that less than half have completed the paperwork. Likelihood of completion varied by age and health status. (9 pages)

In Brief: Guarding the Guardians: Promising Practices for Court Monitoring  / Research Report
December 2007— A succinct summary of the AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) Research Report of the same title in which Naomi Karp (PPI) and Erica Wood (American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging) identify methods for helping courts effectively monitor adult guardianships to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society. These promising practices enable courts to detect abuses and sanction guardians who demonstrate malfeasance. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB152)

Guarding the Guardians: Promising Practices for Court Monitoring  / Research Report
December 2007— Court monitoring of adult guardianships is essential to ensuring the welfare of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Effective guardianship monitoring methods are identified in this AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) Research Report by Naomi Karp of PPI and Erica Wood of the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. These promising practices enable courts to detect abuses and sanction guardians who demonstrate malfeasance. (91 pages) (Publication ID: 2007-21)

Guardianship Monitoring: A National Survey of Court Practices  / Research Report
June 2006— How well do courts monitor the growing number of guardians they appoint to safeguard adults who lack capacity to make their own decisions? In this AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) report of a 2005 national survey of experts with frontline experience, Naomi Karp of AARP PPI and Erica Wood of the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging explore current court practices in monitoring guardianships. (63 pages) (Publication ID: 2006-14)

In Brief: Guardianship Monitoring: A National Survey of Court Practices  / Research Report
June 2006— A succinct summary of the similarly titled AARP Public Policy Institute Report of a national survey in which Naomi Karp of AARP Public Policy Institute and Erica Wood of the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging explore current court practices in monitoring guardianships. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB126)

AARP Massachusetts End of Life Survey  / Research Report
August 2005— How do people think about death and dying? This 2005 survey of AARP members age 50 and older in Massachusetts provides a comprehensive view of their concerns and attitudes toward end of life issues. (40 pages)

End of Life in Nursing Homes: Experiences and Policy Recommendations  / Research Report
November 2004— "Care received by dying patients in nursing homes is described from the perspective of bereaved family members or others close to the decedents in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by a Brown University gerontological and health care research team in order to identify policy issues and make recommendations for systemic change and professional training. (63 pages) (Publication ID: 2004-14)

AARP North Carolina End of Life Survey  / Research Report
November 2003— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Concerns and attitudes about death and dying; preparation and planning for death; dealing with the physical, psychological, financial, and spiritual aspects of dying; need for support at the end of life, and awareness of hospice services are examined in this survey of AARP members in North Carolina.

End-of-Life Care in Managed Care Organizations  / Research Report
July 1999— This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Peter D. Fox, a private health care consultant, explores issues related to how managed care plans provide end-of-life care. (23 pages) (Publication ID: 9908)