Adult and adolescent attitudes toward death.

The anguish families experience when they are asked to make health care decisions for incompetent members has stimulated the search for adequate prior directives. This study explores a method of recording competent patients' wishes via a Value History Questionnaire which can guide families and health care teams during an incompetent person's terminal illness. The questionnaire responses of two age groups are compared and evaluated. The purpose of the Value History was explained to 170 teenagers and 170 adults, and their wishes regarding their future care were analyzed. Respondents indicated that they definitely want to know the truth about their health care and to participate in decision making, even while dying. The majority do not want to be maintained indefinitely on life-support systems. The doctor's office or patient's home are suitable for filling out the questionnaire. The enthusiastic response leads to the recommendation that Value Histories should become part of all medical records.