Centre for Policy on Ageing



End of life decisions — Who would you chose? Appointing an agent with a medical power of attorney
Author(s)	M Brown
Journal title	Australian Journal on Ageing, vol 16, no 4, November 1997
Pages	pp 147-150
Keywords	Medical care ; Terminal care ; Dying ; Australia.
Annotation	Appointing an agent with a medical power of attorney in the event of future incompetency is a relatively new concept in Australia. This qualitative study examined some of the associated issues raised in focus groups and interviews with 62 healthy older people in South Australia. Findings revealed some confusion about current rights and responsibilities and concerns about selecting the most suitable person, the burden this would impose and the degree of trust implicit in such an arrangement. The majority favoured a written form of advance directive, with or without an agent. The authors conclude that clarification and further discussion are required to ensure that the wishes of individuals are respected when dying. (AKM).
Accession Number	CPA-980625229 A
Classmark	LK: LV: CX: 7YA
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing

...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.