Department of Health Care Sciences/ Palliative Research Centre
Being a Companion on a natural Pathway
towards Death
Authors: Bodil Holmberg PhD Student, Ingrid Hellström Associate Professor, Jane Österlind Senior Lecturer
Conclusion
Perceiving dying at old age a natural process
that should not be accelerated nor delayed, the
assistant nurses [ANs] strived to be pliable to
the gradual deterioration of the older person.
Alongside every day care they offered palliative
care actions corresponding to the contents in
person-centered palliative care. Thus, they may
be described as to have a palliative approach.
Introduction
Dying at old age tends to be slow and
characterized by frailty. In Sweden, many older persons die in nursing homes where care is
provided foremost by ANs who have high school education. Due to lack of beds admisson is not
granted until care needs are complex, leading to a short survival at the nursing home .
Method
The study had a qualitative design. Data were
collected by semi-structured individual interviews with ANs (n=7). The transcribed interviews were
analyzed by use of an inductive qualitative content analysis.
Aim
The aim of the study was to describe ANs experiences of providing care to older persons during the last time of life in a nursing home.
Palliative Research Centre
Bodil Holmberg P.O Box 111 89
SE-100 61 Stockholm, Sweden E-post: bodil.holmberg@esh.se Mobile: +46 766 365 135
Result
In the analysis one main theme emerged; ”Being a
companion on a natural pathway towards death”. The ANs perceived dying at old age expected and natural, thus they did not try to hinder what happened, but
strived to be pliable to signs of gradual deterioration. For instance by lowering the rhythm of the care to provide
closeness and meet increased bodily needs.
The care, that strived to relieve oppressive symptoms and increase quality of life, was provided by use of
intuitive knowledge and teamwork.
The care had a holistic approach meaning that ANs did not only care for a body, but a whole person, a person with whom they had a mutual and familiar relationship. Thus, the older person was the starting point of a care
that was planned and adapted to his/her own values and preferences, aiming to show respect and preserve dignity as well before as after death.
”You watch the decline, the progress of illness, I mean. Some of them have illnesses that you can observe as they
progress… Eating isn’t really working out and they get more and more tired, have less and less strength, then I think that you can see that… life is ebbing away somehow” AN No.6
