Most want to die at home or in the hospice

Most Germans would like to die at home

21/08/2012

The older people get, the more people are more concerned about death. Many have a clear idea of ​​where and how their lives should best end. On behalf of the German Hospice and Palliative Association (DHPV), the research group Wahl conducted a representative population survey under the heading "Dying in Germany - Knowledge and Attitudes to Dying".

The results of the population survey of the DHPV show that many Germans (58 percent) believe that society cares too little about dying and dying. Those who deal with their own death, in most cases, wishes to die at home. But even death in the hospice is a desirable way of divorcing life for just under a fifth of respondents. Almost no respondents were in favor of a hospital or nursing home death. In fact, only 25 percent of people die at home, 5 percent in the hospice and as many as 70 percent in nursing homes and clinics. There is a considerable divergence between the idea of ​​the population and death and the actual circumstances of dying.

Over 1,000 people asked about dying and death
The survey by the German Hospice and Palliative Association shows that many people (39 percent of the respondents) die and die in a personal environment play a large to very large role. The majority (83 percent) has already faced the death of a close relative. More than half of the population (54 percent) has already "often" or "from time to time" thoughts about their own dying, according to the message of the DHPV. Admittedly, preoccupation with one's own death tends to increase at older ages, but 48 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 29 also think about their own deaths. In total, the "Research Group Elections Telephone Area" surveyed 1,044 Germans aged 18 and over. "We were amazed at how openly and willingly people have spoken on this subject," said Matthias Jung, Managing Director of the Research Group Elections. Of the respondents, a total of 66 percent said that they would prefer to die at home, 18 percent favored a death in a facility specifically for the care of seriously ill and dying people (hospice).

High confidence in the personal networks
The frequently expressed desire for a death in one's own home also shows the high level of trust of the population in personal networks, according to the announcement of the DHPV. According to the results of the representative survey, nearly all respondents (90 percent) expect their relatives, friends and neighbors to take care of them. Even single people were 76 percent convinced that people from their personal environment in case of illness care for them. In the case of long-term care, "72 percent of respondents and 66 percent of 60-year-olds and older respondents assume that someone from their family, friends or neighborhood will take care of them," according to the DHPV statement. But according to the experts, severely ill and dying people actually need a high level of care and care, which as a rule can not be achieved exclusively by the personal environment of those affected. Thus, the personal network "a well-developed supply and care network must be set aside, which accompanies the people in his last phase of life in close exchange with family, circle of friends and neighborhood," said the DHPV.

Pain therapies at home more promising?
On behalf of the DHPV, the researchers also determined what experiences respondents have had with pain therapies in persons close to them. "72 percent of respondents rated the pain therapy of a close-to-home person as good at home; By comparison, only 49 percent perceived the pain therapy in the hospital as good, "said the DHPV. This clear difference in the assessment can not be explained at the medical level. Rather, he pointed out that at the end of life not only the physical symptoms but also very different needs play a role, which can be expressed in pain and pain, "reports the DHPV. Therefore, not only medical and nursing care, but also spiritual and psychosocial care, security and closeness could be decisive for the success of the pain therapy. A hospital in which the work processes are (must be) standardized generally can not meet this requirement. Former Federal Minister of Justice and patron of the DHPV, Prof. dr. Herta Däubler-Gmelin summed it up: "Accompanied, cared for, without pain" was the hoped-for idea of ​​most people's own death.

Family doctor as a contact person in search of hospice and palliative facilities
The Chairman of the Board of the German Hospice and Palliative Association, Dr. med. Birgit Weihrauch, explained that the "survey results provide information about the knowledge and attitudes of the population on the subject of dying and death in many different ways - important foundations for us in order to be able to respond more specifically to the requirements." A special role is played in the care of the patients Patients in their last phase of life to the family doctors, explained the deputy chairman of the DHPV, Dr. med. Erich Rösch, When looking for a palliative or hospice facility, most patients would turn to their family doctor. It should therefore be able to select the right care option for the patients from the complex care structures. Here it is "urgent that GPs are well informed about the hospice and palliative care themselves so that they can competently advise their patients on hospice and palliative work and the possibility of hospitable palliative care in their environment," the statement said of the DHPV. Therefore, the association also wants to work with the legislator to open the doctors room for the care of people at the end of life and to ensure that the physicians can also afford the necessary time.

Many older people have already signed a living will
How many people deal specifically with the topic of dying and death, is also apparent from the number of living wills. For example, as many as 26 percent of respondents have already issued a living will and 43 percent have seriously thought about it, DHPV reports. According to the DHPV, "Age plays an essential role both in the drafting of the living will and in the serious consideration of it." Accordingly, the proportion of people over the age of 60 years is significantly higher than among the younger ones. Forty-two percent of over-60s have already issued an appropriate injunction and another 43 percent have already seriously considered such an option. "These results are also important against the background, as dealing with these issues also promotes the debate and dialogue in our society about life and death," said the DHPV. (Fp)

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