Are older adults' demographic characteristics social determinants of their perceived importance, desire, and ability to perform end‐of‐life self‐care actions?

Background: Demographic characteristics play a role in influencing the decision to make end‐of‐life (EOL) directives among older adults living in the United States. Aims: To examine the associations between older adults' demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status, residential site, and educational level) and their perceived importance of four self‐care actions for EOL planning, as well as their desire and ability to perform these actions. Settings: A cross‐sectional survey study of community‐dwelling adults living in the southern United States from 2015 to 2016. Participants: Community‐dwelling adults aged 65 years and older (N = 123). Methods: A self‐administered tool, the Patient Action Inventory for Self‐Care and a demographic questionnaire were used. Multiple logistic regression was performed. Results: Forty‐seven of (38.2%) participants lived in an urban community and 76 (61.8%) in a rural community. Demographic variables that were significant across the predictive models were older adults' residence, education levels, age, and marital status. Four demographic characteristics of living in rural areas, without a high school education, being 75 years or older, and married could be social determinants of EOL planning. Conclusions: Older adults may need community‐based support to address their end‐of‐life needs, especially those elders who want to remain independent in their home environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]