Having the talk--and it's not about sex!

Abstract

The end of life is a difficult time for individuals and their families; some families find it devastating. Although the majority of Americans express a desire to die at home, only 25% achieve this goal. This finding and others from the landmark Last Acts state-by-state report card suggest we can do more to help ease the end-of-life transition. Report card results are reported, highlighting the need for better communication between physicians and patients. Physicians have a key role to play in helping individuals and their families understand their choices and deal with end-of-life care issues. Resources and recommendations are offered to help facilitate planning discussions. Information about hospice use and eligibility is also outlined.