Change in the Preference for Place of Death among Community Residents through the Intervention of an End-of-Life Care Seminar

Purpose: In this study, we examined the change in the preference for place of death among community residents after an end-of-life care (EOLC) seminar intervention. Methods: The survey items included background conditions, degree of apprehension about the seminar contents, their preferred place of death, and requests for EOLC. Results: The results indicated that preference for death at home was characteristic of individuals who lived with a family, spouse, and/or grandchild, and individuals who endorsed “living their lives without regret.” Before the seminar, more participants who lacked confidence in their own health preferred to die in the hospital; However, after the seminar, a greater number of these participants reported that they preferred to die in a nursing home. Conclusion: Both before and after the seminar, “home” was the most frequently selected preferred place of death. The second highest preference was “hospital” before the seminar, and “nursing home” after they attended the seminar. These findings clarify the changes in community residents’ preferred place to die following the EOLC seminar.