UCSF

Introduction

Engaging patients with cognitive impairment in advance care planning (ACP), including completing advance directives and naming health care proxies, before they lose decision-making capacity is important.

Methods

We determined the feasibility of the PREPAREforYourCare.org ACP program among 20 diverse older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers in a 1-week, pre-post pilot. We examined ease-of-use, satisfaction, and feasibility using validated scales, and change in ACP Engagement scores, including knowledge, contemplation, self-efficacy, and readiness subscales (5-point scales), from baseline to 1-week.

Results

Participants were on average 70 years old (SD=9.0), 45% Spanish-speaking, 60% had limited health literacy, and 15% felt comfortable using the internet. Patients and caregivers rated PREPARE a mean of 8.6 (SD=1.6) and 9.4 (SD=1.1) on the 10-point ease-of-use scale, 4.7 (SD=0.4) and 4.7 (SD=0.3) on the 5-point satisfaction scale, and 4.9 (SD=0.4) and 4.8 (SD=0.6) on the 5-point feasibility scale, respectively. ACP engagement scores increased for 16 of 20 (80%) patients (P=0.03) and 16 of 20 (80%) caregivers (P=0.18). Caregivers experienced increased knowledge (3.8 to 4.7, P=0.002) and self-efficacy (3.6 to 4.5, P=0.034) for ACP.

Discussion

The PREPARE website was feasible and may facilitate ACP engagement among diverse older adults with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.