Advance directives and the elderly: a study of intervention strategies to increase use.

This study tested the efficacy of educational interventions to increase the use of advance directives among the elderly. Three types of educational materials, various community-dwelling populations of older people (n = 293), and offers of free legal assistance were examined. Interventions increased use slightly, not dramatically, especially with the group receiving a moderate level of materials plus an invitation to a meeting. Knowledge and use were also associated with race and education levels. The most common reason given for nonuse was deferring to others and putting it off.