Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership Community Survey on End of Life 2006 N=324

Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership

Community Survey on End of Life 2006

N=324

COMFORT ITEMS

How comfortable are you with talking about death?

7%

93%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not at All to Not VeryComfortable

Somewhat to VeryComfortable

How comfortable would you be writing your own will if you thought your death would

occur soon?

5%

95%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How comfortable are you with thinking about life

after death?

9%

91%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



LIKELIHOOD ITEMS

How likely are you to attend funerals or memorial services?

6%

94%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not at All to Not VeryLikely

Somewhat to VeryLikely

How likely are you to read books, newspaper articles or other information that deal with the subject of death and

dying?

19%

81%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How likely are you to watch television programs or movies that deal with the

subject of death and dying?

26%

74%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How likely are you to avoid medical checkups because you are afraid the doctor will find something serious?

73%

27%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How likely are you to speak freely with loved ones about

death and dying?

19%

81%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How likely are you to visit or telephone a friend or relative who has recently lost a loved one in order to see how

they are doing?

10%

90%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How likely are you to preplan the funeral or memorial service of

someone you’re caring for?

26%

74%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



AFRAID ITEMS

How afraid are you of dying from a long-term illness?

36%

64%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not at All to Not VeryAfraid

Somewhat to VeryAfraid

How afraid are you of dying suddenly?

68%

32%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How afraid are you of dying alone?

52%

48%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How afraid are you of dying in an institution such as a

nursing home or hospital?

43%

47%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How afraid are you of dying painfully?

23%

77%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



VALUE ITEMS

There is a special value in getting old.

10%

90%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Somewhat to StronglyDisagree

Somewhat to StronglyAgree

Dying is an important part of life.

6%

84%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



If someone could tell me that I likely have six months or less to live, I would

want to know.

13%

87%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



Caring for people who are dying is a rewarding

experience.

26%

74%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Strongly to SomewhatDisagree


If I knew I was dying, I would want medical intervention to keep me alive

as long as possible.

74%

26%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



CONCERN ITEMS

How concerned are you that your (or your

spouse/partner’s) money won’t last?

34%

66%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not at all to Not VeryConcerned

Somewhat to Very Concerned

How concerned are you that your family’s money

won’t last?

37%

63%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How concerned are you that you will be a burden to

your family or friends?

29%

71%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



Which of the following problems would be worse than death?

64%

77%

71%

9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Living with great pain

Total physicaldependancy on others

Not being able tocommunicate my

wishes/needs

Nothing is worse thandeath

ADVANCE PLANNING ITEMS

Health Care Power of Attorney

36%

55%

9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Have heard about andcompleted

Have heard about butnot completed

Have not heard about

Living Will

38%

59%

3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%




Last will and testament

57%

42%

1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%




Funeral or burial pre-plan

22%

76%

3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%




With whom have you talked about your wishes for care at the end of life?

46%

55%

19%

15%

8%

5%

2%

18%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Family

Friends

Lawyer

Primary physician

Clergy

Other

Have not talked withanyone

Who would you want to initiate a conversation with you regarding end-

of-life issues?54%

63%

26%

12%

33%

31%

1%

6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Family

Friends

Lawyer

Primary physician

Clergy

Other

No One

Who would you trust to provide information on end-of-life issues?

68%

23%

29%

26%

49%

7%

6%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Primary physician

Local hospital

Local hospice

Lawyer

Clergy

American CancerSociety

AARP

No one

IMPORTANCE ITEMS

How important is having family / friends visiting you?

4%

96%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not at All to Not VeryImportant

Somewhat to VeryImportant

How important is being able to stay in your home?

8%

92%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important are honest answers from your doctor?

0%

100%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is comfort from religious / spiritual services or

persons?

11%

89%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is knowing medicine would be available to

you?

4%

96%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is planning your own funeral or memorial

service?

24%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is being able to complete your own will?

4%

96%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is fulfilling personal goals/pleasures?

19%

81%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is reviewing your life history with your

family?

25%

75%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is having health care professionals visit

you at your home?

18%

82%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is getting your finances in order?

3%

97%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is understanding your treatment

options?

1%

99%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is giving to others in time, gifts, or

wisdom?

10%

90%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is being physically comfortable?

3%

97%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is being free from pain?

2%

98%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is having things settled with the family?

1%

99%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is being at peace spiritually?

3%

97%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is not being a burden to loved ones?

3%

97%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is knowing how to say goodbye?

7%

93%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How Important is having a sense of your own worth?

9%

91%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



How important is being off machines that extend life such

as life support?

4%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



If you could choose the ONE way you die, what would your choice

be?

21%

1%

60%

6%

12%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Sudden death

Long-term illness

Death while sleeping

Other

No preference

If you were terminally ill and could choose where to die, where would

you MOST want to die?

59%

2%

9%

3%

8%

20%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

At home

In an assisted livingfacility

In a hospital

In a nursing home

In a residential hospice

No preference

PAIN MANAGEMENT ITEMS

I am afraid my doctor may not believe I am in pain or may not treat my pain.

51%

49%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



I would only take pain medicines when the pain is severe.

17%

83%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



I would take the lowest amount of medicine possible to save larger doses

for later when the pain is worse.

24%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



I am afraid I will become addicted to the pain medicine over time.

65%

35%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



I am afraid I would be given too much pain medicine.

62%

38%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%



SUPPORT ITEMS

What type of support would you want if you were dying?

96%

92%

90%

85%

88%

78%

92%

82%

91%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Listen when I talk

Provide transportation

Help with chores

Do fun things with me

Know what I want when I die

Help care for other family members

Encourage me when I'm down

Understand what I'm going through

Know about my illness

Listen when I want to talk64%

84%

51%

40%

53%

8%

45%

4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Provide transportation

61%

72%

47%

39%

19%

3%

20%

13%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Help with chores

59%

75%

48%

37%

17%

3%

18%

11%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Do fun things with me

64%

85%

64%

61%

9%

6%

25%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Know what I want when I die

65%

84%

46%

24%

26%

3%

26%

1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Help care for other family members

58%

69%

60%

36%

20%

4%

31%

8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Encourage me when I am down

65%

81%

61%

56%

35%

11%

48%

8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Understand what I’m going through

63%

71%

47%

42%

47%

9%

34%

10%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

Know about my illness65%

81%

57%

44%

51%

7%

33%

5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spouse/partner

Children

Other Family

Friends/neighbors

Health providers

Work associates

Faith community

Community Org.

HOSPICE ITEMS

Have you heard of hospice services?

5%

49%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Never heard ofthem

Heard a little aboutthem

Heard a lot aboutthem

How did you learn about hospice?

63%

6%

4%

26%

29%

39%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Knew someonewho usedhospice

Have usedservices

personally

I am/washospice volunteer

Heard from ahealth careprofessional

Multi-mediaresources

Heard fromothers

If dying, would you want hospice support?

66%

2%

32%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

Don't know/notsure

Where would you want to receive hospice support?

39%

28%

24%

27%

91%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

In a hospiceresidence

In a hospital

In a nursing home

In a residentialfacility

In my own home

To the best of your knowledge, does Medicare pay for hospice

services?

65%

6%

29%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not sure

No

Yes

For which of the following chronic illnesses do you think hospice services

would be helpful?

85%

60%

61%

56%

66%

8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Cancer

Heart disease

Alzheimer's disease

Lung disease

Stroke

Other

Would you be interested to hear more about hospice

services?

23%

22%

45%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not sure

Not at All to NotVery Interested

Somewhat to VeryInterested

DEMOGRAPICS REGARDING

SPIRITUALITY

How religious/spiritual do you consider yourself?

11%

89%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not at All to NotVery Religious /

Spiritual

Somewhat toVery Religious /

Spiritual

Are you affiliated with an organized faith community?

72%

28%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

How often do you attend religious or spiritual

services?60%

21%

13%

4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Regularly

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

How often do you find strength in your religion or

spirituality?58%

20%

10%

8%

4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

One or more timesa day

A few times a week

A few times amonth

Once a month orless

Never

GENERAL DEMOGRAPHICS

Are you a caregiver?

27%

73%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

Do you have a serious, chronic illness?

18%

82%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

Does a member of your household have a serious, chronic illness?

12%

88%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

If respondent has chronic illness, which best describes it?

19%

33%

0%

10%

2%

36%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Cancer

Heart disease

Alzheimer'sdisease

Lung disease

Stroke

Other

Gender

40%

60%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

Age of Respondents

24%

17%

22%

11%

6%

18%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

75+

65-74

55-64

45-54

35-44

25-34

Marital Status

9%

55%

3%

11%

20%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Single, never married

Married

Living together as ifmarried

Divorced

Widowed

Highest level of education completed

7%

28%

39%

15%

11%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Less than high school

H.S. grad or equivalent

Some college or tech training

College graduate

Post-grad or profess.

Current employment status

46%

10%

37%

5%

2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Full-time

Part-time

Retired/Not working

Other, such as Homemaker

Unemployed/Looking forwork

Race/Ethnicity

94%

1%

0%

2%

0%

1%

3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

White

Black or AfricanAmerican

Asian

American Indian orAlaskan Native

Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander

Some Other Race

Refused

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

2%

98%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No

Yes

Household income8%

21%

16%

16%

11%

8%

7%

13%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Less than $10,000

$10,000 to under $20,000

$20,000 to under $30,000

$30,000 to under $40,000

$40,000 to under $50,000

$50,000 to under $60,000

$60,000 to under $75,000

$75,000 or more

Do you live alone?

66%

33%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

Are you a member of AARP?

30%

70%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

Are you a United States Veteran?

14%

86%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes

No

How would you rate your own general health?

20%

33%

47%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Fair to Poor

Good

Very good toExcellent

Documents

Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership Community Survey on End of Life 2006 N=324