Percent of sampled adults who rate permanent coma as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 66.
Older well adults: 57.
Persons with chronic illness: 59.
Persons with terminal cancer: 44.
Persons with AIDS: 66.
Stroke survivors: 44.
Nursing home residents: 28.
Percent of sampled adults who rate dementia as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 24.
Older well adults: 31.
Persons with chronic illness: 31.
Persons with terminal cancer: 29.
Persons with AIDS: 30.
Stroke survivors: 27
Nursing home residents: 18.
Percent of sampled adults who rate severe stroke as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 30.
Older well adults: 49.
Persons with chronic illness: 39.
Persons with terminal cancer: 25.
Persons with AIDS: 46.
Stroke survivors: 29.
Nursing home residents: 26.
Percent of sampled adults who rate severe pain as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 30.
Older well adults: 57.
Persons with chronic illness: 43.
Persons with terminal cancer: 31.
Persons with AIDS: 48.
Stroke survivors: 33.
Nursing home residents: 26.
aSample included 50 well adults ages 21-65 years, 49 well adults older than 65, 49 older adults with chronic illness, 48 adults with terminal cancer, 50 adults with AIDS, 45 stroke survivors, and 50 nursing home residents.
Source: Patrick DL, Pearlman RA, Starks HE, et al. Validation of preferences for life-sustaining treatment: implications for advance care planning. Ann Intern Med 1997;127(7):509-17.