AARP.org

The Bulletin Poll: Getting Ready to Go

Source: AARP Bulletin Today | January 16, 2008

Our exclusive monthly survey reveals most of our readers believe they’re in good health and know where to find their parents' important paperwork. But many have not filled out the important paperwork for themselves, nor considered the documents in preparing for their own departure.

Which of the following advance directives and other pre-plans have you heard about and completed?

  35-39 50-59 Age 60+
 
Health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care
Heard about and completed 24% 39% 51%
Heard about but not completed 67% 57% 42%
Not heard about 10% 4% 7%
 
Living will
Heard about and completed 25% 36% 47%
Heard about but not completed 65% 59% 42%
Not heard about 10% 5% 10%
 
"Do Not Resuscitate" order
Heard about and completed 15% 32% 38%
Heard about but not completed 73% 60% 43%
Not heard about 12% 9% 20%
 
Organ/tissue donation form
Heard about and completed 43% 47% 36%
Heard about but not completed 51% 50% 56%
Not heard about 6% 3% 8%
 
Funeral arrangement or burial pre-plans
Heard about and completed 12% 30% 42%
Heard about but not completed 78% 65% 51%
Not heard about 10% 5% 7%
 
Trust or last will and testament
Heard about and completed 32% 44% 62%
Heard about but not completed 60% 52% 32%
Not heard about 8% 4% 5%

Have your parent(s) completed:
  35-39 50-59 Age 60+
 
Health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care
Yes 44% 52% 74%
No 31% 18% 12%
Don't know 25% 30% 15%
 
Living will
Yes 48% 52% 57%
No 31% 26% 29%
Don't know 21% 22% 14%
 
"Do Not Resuscitate" order
Yes 27% 37% 41%
No 43% 34% 32%
Don't know 31% 29% 27%
 
Organ/tissue donation form
Yes 24% 18% 11%
No 42% 46% 63%
Don't know 35% 36% 26%
 
Funeral arrangement or burial pre-plans
Yes 45% 59% 71%
No 39% 27% 23%
Don't know 16% 14% 6%
 
Trust or last will and testament
Yes 61% 69% 79%
No 21% 18% 12%
Don't know 18% 13% 9%

Do you or another family member or trusted friend know the location of your parents' important papers, such as birth certificates, insurance policies and bank records?
  35-39 50-59 Age 60+
Yes 82% 76% 80%
No 15% 16% 20%
Don't know 3% 9% 0%

Does a family member or trusted friend know the location of your important papers?
  35-39 50-59 Age 60+
Yes 78% 85% 89%
No 21% 15% 9%
Don't know 1% 0% 2%

In general, how do you rate your own health now?
  35-39 50-59 Age 60+
Excellent 25% 22% 20%
Very good 36% 34% 26%
Good 28% 30% 30%
Fair 7% 9% 18%
Poor 4% 7% 6%

Survey of 1,013 adults age 35 and older conducted by ICR between Nov. 20 and Nov. 28, 2007.

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