One in ten older adults aged >45 years report having no-one to turn to for help at the end of life apart from professionals - Who are they?

Verne, Julia; Tapp, Alan; Nancarrow, Clive; Morey, Yvette; Warren, Stella

Abstract

- Background: There is increased interest in the impact of living alone and loneliness on people’s wellbeing at the end of life and practicality of providing care, especially at home. In a nationally representative sample of 3,590 people aged >45 years surveyed on-line about care at the end of life (EoL) 12% said they had no close family, friends or neighbours that they felt they could turn to for help. Aim: To investigate the characteristics of the 12% who feel they have no-one to turn to (NTTT) Method: Analysis of the sociodemographic characteristics of the NTTT 12% (441 people) compared with those who did declare family, friends or neighbours (FFN) who they reported could help 88% (3149) using the results of the online panel survey. Results: More NTTTs were younger aged 45-69 (77%) than the FFN (71%) and still working 37% vs 26%. The NTTTs were more likely to live in London 19% and urban areas. The NTTTs were less likely to: be married/partnership, have children and grandchildren, have family living with them or nearby, belong to a local club/society/association, belong to a religion. 52% of the NTTT said they had never cared for a relative compared with 38% FFN but of those who had, a higher proportion was for a spouse/partner 17% vs 11% and more likely to have undertaken personal hygiene 38% vs 29% and cared > 50 hours per week 21% vs 12%. When asked who they would want to care fewer NTTTs would want family 26% vs 51% and more professionals 23% vs 16% or a care home 23% vs 12%. Asked why family would not be first choice reasons for NTTTs vs FFNs included: my family would probably prefer not to be involved 14v% vs 9%we don’t get on 8%vs4%, I have no family left 13% vs 7%.The NTTT were more likely to have thought about planning care for themselves. Conclusions: This study has identified and explored the characteristics of a potentially vulnerable group for EOLC. The results will help professionals identify people needing extra state or volunteer input.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: 16th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EPAC)
• Start Date: May 23, 2019
• End Date: Oct 25, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 28, 2019
• Keywords: end of life care, palliative care, advanced care planning
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/4167735