RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The Living Will (LW) is well publicised, and still largely unknown to the general public and health professionals. OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of the subjects that formalize a LW related to socio-demographic situation, health status, degree of dependence, healthcare characteristics and psychosocial aspects. METHOD: Descriptive observational study conducted in the Health Area of Albacete including 123 people who formalized the LW in a Will Register in 2011. Study variables included: self-perceived health, functional status, morbidity, socio-demographic characteristics, use of health services, attitudes towards the LW, and psychosocial aspects. RESULTS: Those that made an LW, were mainly women (64.2%), had a mean age of 53.3 years (SD: 14.5), higher levels of education (61% with at least secondary education), and a lifestyle other than living with a partner, and with children (67.5%). The majority were self-sufficient for their daily living activities (98.4% to 94.3% for basic and instrumental), and suffered from chronic disease (73.2%). Despite lasting relationships with their physicians (9.4 years; SD: 7.9), there was very little talk about the end of life (18.3%). More than a half had a family member who had previously signed a document (54.5%). More than two-thirds (68.5%) considered this document useful in the death of a relative, and also a 56.7% had also served as a caregiver of a terminal patient. CONCLUSIONS: Middle-aged people, predominantly women, formalized an LW most often. They are usually chronic, but self-sufficient for their daily living activities, and are convinced that they can influence their health situation.