Algorithm for predicting death among older adults in the home care setting: study protocol for the Risk Evaluation for Support: Predictions for Elder-life in the Community Tool (RESPECT)

What is it about?

People who are approaching the end of their life can benefit from supportive care—also known as palliative care—that improves quality-of-life through treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms, as well as emotional and spiritual needs. Unfortunately, research has shown that only about half of the people who die in Canada receive any kind of palliative care in their last year of life. In part, the challenge lies in identifying people in the community who are nearing the end of their life. RESPECT is short for Risk Evaluation for Support: Predictions for Elder-life in the Community Tool. Technically, it is a predictive algorithm that calculates your survival (that is, how long you will live).

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Why is it important?

RESPECT can be used to support early palliative care planning for frail older adults living in the community—at both the individual level and the health system level.