The Intention to Discuss Advance Care Planning in the Context of Alzheimer’s Disease Among Korean Americans

Publication Date

April 2019

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

The Gerontologist

Volume

59

Issue

2

DOI

10.1093/geront/gnx211

First Page

347

Last Page

355

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesAdvance care planning (ACP) is crucial for quality end-of-life care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. However, limited evidence is available about ACP among ethnic minorities, particularly in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of this study was to examine intention to discuss ACP for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease among Korean Americans. Guided by the theory of planned behavior and prior research, we examined the relationships between acculturation, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, and intention to discuss ACP for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease.Research Design and MethodsPath analyses were conducted on a cross-sectional convenience sample of 261 Korean Americans. Age, gender, education, and knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and ACP were included as covariates.ResultsOur descriptive findings showed positive attitudes, strong subjective norms, and a high level of perceived control toward ACP discussion among the participants. The path analyses revealed that attitudes and subjective norms were positively related to intention for ACP discussion. Perceived control was not related to intention for ACP discussion. Among the covariates, greater knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease was the only factor shown to be associated with the intention for ACP discussion.Discussion and ImplicationsTo promote ACP among this population, educational interventions designed to address positives attitudes and subjective norms toward ACP are suggested.

Keywords

Advance care planning, Alzheimer's disease, End-of-life, Ethnic minorities, Korean Americans, Theory of planned behavior

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