Volunteers Needed for UA Study on Living Will Decisions

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama is seeking volunteers to participate in a research project on how people make decisions about living wills.

Individuals who are 65 and older, live in the Central Alabama area, are in at least fair health and who do not already have living wills, are eligible to participate. Participants will receive $10 Wal-Mart gift certificates.

For more information, contact Dori Whitehead at 205/348-7517 or Dr. Rebecca Allen at 205/348-9891.

A living will outlines in writing what medical care a dying person wants, or does not want, should they become too sick to speak. Wishes outlined in a living will, such as whether or not to receive tube feedings or life-sustaining treatment, are followed only if the person will die from their condition or if they are permanently unconscious and have no hope for improvement.

Allen is an assistant professor of psychology at The University of Alabama and associate director of UA’s Applied Gerontology Program. The National Institute on Aging earlier awarded Allen $450,000 for a 5-year project to research ways of improving hospice care.