Gender differences in older adults' preferences for life-sustaining medical treatments and end-of-life values

In the present study, we examined gender differences in preferences for lif e-sustaining treatments in response to various health state scenarios and t he endorsement of end-of-life values in 99 older adults. Men preferred life -sustaining treatments more than women overall,for specific treatments (i.e ., CPR, surgery, and artificial feeding), and in response to specific healt h scenarios (i.e., current health, Alzheimer's disease, coma with a slight chance of recovery). In terms of values, women indicated a greater desire f or a dignified death than men.