Where and How Centenarians Die? The Role of Hospice Care

Abstract

The effect of hospice care on place of death among centenarians remained unexplored. Using data obtained from National Health Insurance Research Database (2002-2010), we compared the differences in place and cause of death between centenarians and noncentenarians. These data were stratified into centenarian (n = 2495) and noncentenarian (n = 820 563) death. Data in place and cause of death and hospice care interventions were retrieved. Poisson regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with the centenarians’ place of death. Time series models were used to predict the number of centenarian deaths until 2025. Most (63.8%) of the centenarians died at their own homes, followed by 30.5% who died in hospital. Hospice home care was involved in only 0.3% of the centenarian deaths but in 1.8% of the noncentenarian deaths. The leading causes of death among centenarians were respiratory diseases (16.6%), circulatory diseases (15.2%), and pneumonia (14.8%). Among the centenarians, those who died of circulatory disease, old age, and respiratory diseases were more likely to die at their own homes. We forecasted the number of annual centenarian deaths to reach 800 in 2025. Therefore, an increase in the provision of advanced care planning and earlier home hospice care intervention may enable centenarians to die at their own residence.

Trends in places and causes of death among centenarians in Japan from 2006 to 2016

“…18 In Taiwan, 63.8% of the centenarians died in their own homes, followed by hospitals (30.5%) and hospice home (0.3%). 19 Compared with the results of these previous studies, a high proportion (52.7%) of Japanese centenarians died in hospitals even during 2016. Moreover, the proportion of deaths in nursing homes (31.4%) was relatively low.…”

“…In the USA, more than half (57.6%) of people aged ≥95 years died in nursing homes, followed by hospitals (28.0%) and homes (14.5%) 18 . In Taiwan, 63.8% of the centenarians died in their own homes, followed by hospitals (30.5%) and hospice home (0.3%) 19 . Compared with the results of these previous studies, a high proportion (52.7%) of Japanese centenarians died in hospitals even during 2016.…”

Healthcare Provider Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Hospice Care and Their Influencing Factors: A Crosssectional Study in Shanghai

“…In addition, due to the miniaturization of family structure and traditional Chinese lifestyles, most EOL patients do not receive sufficient treatment for pain and other physical, psychological and spiritual issues. 6 The rapid global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) and the great suffering it caused have emphasized the need to improve the functionality of HC-in May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) added palliative care to its Clinical Management of COVID-19 Interim Guidance. 7 Notably, HC can not only significantly reduce the costs of caring for terminal patients but also produce considerable economic benefits.…”