Supportive Decision-Making and Advance Care Planning

Life expectancy in many parts of the world has grown significantly over the past few decades. The aging population will lead to increasing numbers of patients with chronic and life-limiting conditions. In the United States in 2020, four of the six leading causes of death were chronic and progressive illnesses: heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, and Alzheimer’s disease [1]. In the United States, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia is about one in nine people over 65 years old [2].