Changes in end-of-life attitudes and actions over time: one community in 2004-2005

The purpose of this research is to explore changes in end-of-life (EOL) attitudes and actions among Sioux Falls, South Dakota, residents between August 2004 and August 2005.

Questionnaires were sent to 5000 randomly selected Sioux Falls households (2004) and to 10,000 South Dakota households (2005), where a subset from the city allowed researchers to compare Sioux Falls residents' attitudes and actions over time. Data were entered into the computer using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and bivariate analyses were conducted using Chi Square, where p < or = .05 was used to assess statistical significance.

Compared to the 2004 sample, respondents in 2005 were more likely to have taken actions to ensure their EOL preferences were honored, knew more about hospice and were more polarized in their views about EOL care. Consistencies in EOL preferences were also revealed.

Longitudinal analysis suggests that public discussion of EOL issues makes a difference in the public's attitutdes and actions. Implications for future research are discussed.