Further research is needed to combine methods of investigation in order to assist the health care system in personalizing services to the trajectories of decline, and in enabling caregivers to prepare for the EOL experience.

Results help characterize EOL trajectories and should inform care planning and decision making at various levels. In addition, they suggest a methodology for better understanding EOL.

The new model has the potential to clarify directions in research, quality assessment, and intervention regarding end-of-life care.

No abstract