TABLE 1.
Baseline Characteristics (n=458)
| Mean age (±SD), y | 57.9 (±14.8) |
|---|---|
| Mean time to death (±SD), d | 339.5 (±348.4) |
| Ethnicity | |
| African American | 19% (88) |
| Caucasian | 52% (239) |
| Latino | 22% (102) |
| Other | 6% (29) |
| Spanish language only | 6% (27) |
| Female gender | 35% (159) |
| Admitted to DVAMC | 41% (188) |
| Admitted to DHMC | 38% (174) |
| Admitted to UCH | 21% (96) |
| CARING criteria | |
| Cancer diagnosis | 11% (51) |
| Admitted to hospital ≥2 times in the past year for chronic illness | 40% (181) |
| Resident in a nursing home | 2% (9) |
| Noncancer hospice guidelines (meeting ≥2) | 13% (59) |
| Income <$30,000/year | 84% (377) |
| No greater than high school education | 55% (248) |
| Home owner | 26% (120) |
| Rents home | 39% (177) |
| Unstable living situationa | 34% (156) |
| Low social supportb | 36% (165) |
| Uninsured | 18% (81) |
| Regular primary care provider | 73% (330) |
NOTE: Abbreviations: CARING, Cancer, Admissions ≥2, Residence in a nursing home, Intensive care unit admit with multiorgan failure, ≥2 Non-cancer hospice Guidelines; DHMC, Denver Health Medical Center, DVAMC, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center; SD, standard deviation; UCH, University of Colorado Hospital.
a
Unstable living situation defined as either homeless, living in shelters, or with friends.
b
Low social support defined as Identifying ≤2 forms of social support (spouse/significant other, relatives, friends, church or other group) present in their life. Data are presented as % (n) unless otherwise noted.