Staying Fit
This survey of adults ages 45 and older explores concerns, attitudes, and experiences related to advance care planning and end of life. The results suggest most older adults have not conducted formal end-of-life planning. This lack of planning highlights the need to provide education and assistance in this area.
The majority (83%) of older adults say they understand the end-of-life transition is an important part of life and have positive attitudes related to this transition. While seven in 10 (69%) say the topic is generally avoided, most (85%) say they are comfortable with discussing death and dying. Still, over a third (35%) agree with the statement: “There is no reason to talk about dying, you die when you die, and there isn’t anything you can do about it.”
Topping the list of concerns for all older adults regarding end-of-life is becoming a physical burden on family and friends (63%). Nearly six in 10 (58%) say they worry how their elderly care recipient would get the care needed. Half or more older adults with spouses or partners say they worry about how that person would manage in general (56%), that the monies for their spouse/partner won’t last (53%) and whether their spouse/partner will have a medical caregiver when needed (52%). Half of adults ages 45 and older also say they worry about dying unexpectedly (51%) and what would happen to their pet(s) (50%).
These concerns do not necessarily translate into action. While over six in 10 (63%) older adults say they have had an end-of-life conversation with a loved one, far fewer have made end-of-life preparations like preparing a last will and testament (36%) or a living will (33%). Moreover, less than half of the adults ages 45 and older who have not made these or similar preparations, say it is very likely they will.
The results of this study reveal an opportunity to educate older adults on the importance of end-of-life planning. Most say they are willing to discuss end of life, although substantially fewer say it is very likely they will make related preparations. AARP has an opportunity to provide education and assistance in advance care and end-of-life planning.
Methodology
The 2023 AARP End of Life survey was conducted online from October 31 to November 10, 2023, with a total sample of 1,916 adults ages 45-plus, including oversamples of African American/Black (n = 420), Hispanic/Latino (n= 471), and general population ages 75-plus (n = 457). This national survey was conducted using NORC at the University of Chicago’s Foresight 50+® Panel and NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel probability-based samples. Chicago’s Foresight 50+® Panel and NORC’s AmeriSpeak are designed to be representative of the U.S. household population. All data are weighted by age, gender, and race according to the most recent Census population statistics.
For more information, please contact Cheryl Lampkin at clampkin@aarp.org. For media inquiries, please contact media@aarp.org.
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