The Massachusetts Coalition for Serious Illness Care held its second annual summit on May 9 and released the results of a poll it conducted to gauge how Massachusetts residents feel about addressing issues associated with illness and death.
The poll of 1,851 Massachusetts residents showed that nearly everyone (96%) believe it’s important for people to have conversations with loved ones and healthcare providers about their wishes for care. But the majority (71%) say it’s harder to plan for end-of-life care than it is to plan for distributing their money after death.
More than three-quarters (76%) say that their conversations with providers about their wishes were not at all difficult. They cite their good relationships as the most common reason for ease. Of those who talked with a healthcare provider, about 40% of the conversations occurred within the past year.
MHA is a member of the coalition and its poster outlining the association’s efforts with serious illness care was featured at the summit. Throughout April, MHA surveyed its staff on their feelings towards serious illness care, performed outreach to the local business community on the issue, featured weekly stories in Monday Report, and organized for a May webinar to help member hospitals engage with their own staffs (see story below). More information about serious illness planning is available on PatientCareLink under the “For Patients and Families” tab (Healthcare Planning Throughout Your Life) and under the “Improving Patient Care” tab (Serious Illness Care).