A recent analysis of information related to 235,821 Medicare patients above the age of 65-year-old, who died between 2003 and 2007 has revealed that 33% patients had spend the last days of their lives in a hospital. The figure was stated to be the highest in Manhattan, with the number of people staying in hospitals around 46.7%, while the least number was found for those in Mason City at 7%.

In contrast to the other two cities, the number for Washington fell right in the middle, with the figures being at a third.

Though, it is a known fact, that hospital procedures like chemotherapy can help elongating lives of people suffering from cancer. Yet, previous studies have reached the conclusion that such therapies don't have any effect on the elderly, especially on those, who are in an advanced stage of the cancer.

Despite, the unlikelihood of survival an average 6% elderly patients underwent chemotherapy two-weeks prior to their death, while the number surpassed 10% in a few places. Apart from the numbers related to therapy, almost one-fifth people were kept on artificial life support as well; the number was again the highest in Manhattan, while the least was in Minneapolis.

The Lead Author, David Goodman stated that the study suggested that though, four-fifth of cancer patients had stated in surveys that they would prefer dying at home. Yet, the statistics clearly suggested that it was not happening.