Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people's attitudes to end-of-life decision-making and advance care planning

Australas J Ageing. 2015 Oct:34 Suppl 2:39-43. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12268.

Abstract

Aim: To examine lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people's attitudes to advance care planning (ACP) options and alternative decision-making at the end of life.

Method: Three hundred and five LGBT people completed an online or paper-based questionnaire, comprising fixed-choice questions and open-ended questions.

Results: Most respondents, particularly those identifying as female or transgender, preferred a partner to be their alternative decision-maker at the end of life should the need arise. Fifty-two per cent of respondents had spoken to this person about their wishes. Regarding legal options enabling end-of-life decision-making, 29% had an enduring power of attorney, 18% an enduring guardian and 12% an advance care directive.

Conclusion: Despite the significance of ACP for promoting the rights of LGBT people at the end of life, the take-up of these options was nearly as low as for the general population. The potential for targeted strategies to increase the take-up of ACP is identified.

Keywords: advance care planning; bisexual; end-of-life care; gay; lesbian; transgender person.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Advance Care Planning* / organization & administration
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aging / ethnology
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Bisexuality / psychology*
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Homosexuality, Female / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New South Wales
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Terminal Care / organization & administration
  • Terminal Care / psychology*
  • Transgender Persons / psychology*
  • Transsexualism / psychology*