Exhibit 1.
Characteristics Of Decedents In The Health and Retirement Study, 1992–2006
| Characteristic | Median/Percent |
|---|---|
| Net worth a | $79,000 |
| Female | 47% |
| Age | |
| 65–74 | 19% |
| 75–84 | 40 |
| ≥85 | 41 |
| Race/ethinicity | |
| White | 87% |
| African American | 9 |
| Latino | 3 |
| Other | 1 |
| Chronic conditions | |
| Cancer | 31% |
| Lung disease | 25 |
| Heart condition | 57 |
| Stroke | 31 |
| Status, last three months of life | |
| ≥3 ADL dependenciesb | 67% |
| Cognitive impairment | 43 |
| Moderate or severe pain | 46 |
| Health system factors | |
| Early hospice usec | 9% |
| Nursing home residence | 36 |
| Communication factors | |
| Death expected | 61% |
| Advanced care plan | 45 |
SOURCE Authors’ analysis of the Health and Retirement Study data linked to Medicare claims. NOTES N = 4,158. Percentages are weighted to reflect national estimates.
a
Net worth includes housing and non-housing assets. Interquartile range is $10,000–$214,000.
b
ADL is activities of daily living, such as getting into and out of bed, walking across the room, eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting.
c
Hospice use at least one month before death.