The calculator includes 17 questions that reflect different trajectories in physical health and cognition, including age, sex, cognitive impairment, diseases, sociodemographic factors, health status, symptoms of reduced physiologic reserve, use of life-sustaining therapies, and health care use.
The algorithm used in this calculator is called RESPECT (Risk Evaluation for Support: Predictions for Elder Life in the Community Tool). It is calibrated to 1.3 million assessments and 112,823 deaths, and accurately predicts a wide range in life expectancy.
It can be used by physicians, home care staff, or palliative care teams to understand their patient’s decline. They can also use this tool to discuss, with their patient, what can be expected as the patient approaches the end of life, and plan the pathway for care, according to their patient's needs.
The calculator was designed for frail older adults living in the community, which includes those living in assisted living and retirement home communities who might need support at home.

See reference for more information.

Adapted from Hsu AT et al. Predicting death in home care users: derivation and validation of the Risk Evaluation for Support: Predictions for Elder-Life in the Community Tool (RESPECT). CMAJ July 05, 2021 193 (26) E997-E1005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.200022