[Attitudes Towards End-of-Life Decisions and Long-Term Care Dependency: Results of a Representative Survey of Austrians Aged 50].

AIM OF THE STUDY: Existing research on attitudes in the general population regarding end-of-life decisions has included neither old age long-term care dependency nor worries regarding age(ing). The aim of this study is to present first results from a recent survey on this topic.

METHODS: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey of the population aged 50+was conducted in Austria (n=968) in 2015.

RESULTS: 29.0% of the respondents indicated not wanting to live on as a severely care-dependent older person. In the case of an older care-dependent person, 48.5% approved of forgoing life-sustaining treatment, 41.7% of assisted suicide and 34.1% of euthanasia if requested. Worries about old age and ageing were widespread (53.7-83.0%) and highly worried respondents were more inclined to support assisted suicide and euthanasia compared to those less worried.

CONCLUSIONS: Worries and negative stereotypes regarding age(ing) and long-term care dependency should be addressed by information campaigns.