Korean J Adult Nurs.  2017 Apr;29(2):119-130. 10.7475/kjan.2017.29.2.119.

Nurses' Experiences of End of Life Care of Older Adults with Dementia

• Kim CG
• Lee YH

• KMID: 2378866
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2017.29.2.119

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to understand the nurses' experiences of end of life care of older adults with dementia living in long-term care hospitals and geriatric care facilities.
METHODS
The participants were nine nurses. Open in-depth interviews were used to collect data from June, 2016 to November, 2016. Colaizzi's phenomenological approach was used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
Three categories were identified. The nurses' reported experiences of end of life care of older adults with dementia were "˜warm care with living together', "˜care for family', and the "˜self-reflection and responsibility as a nurse'. There were ten clusters of themes and 24 themes. The participants stated that the end of life care of older adults with dementia were individualized holistic care with dignity, being in older adults with dementia and family, and responsibility as a professional. Nurses reported the need for dementia hospice care.
CONCLUSION
These results could be considered in planning nursing intervention for hospice care. The findings support the need for educational strategies and programs to improve end of life care among older adults with dementia.

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Dementia*
Hospice Care
Humans
Long-Term Care
Nursing
Qualitative Research
Terminal Care*

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