The end-of-life experience in long-term care: five themes identified from focus groups with residents, family members, and staff.

The Gerontologist
Jean MunnSheryl Zimmerman

Abstract

We designed this study to examine the end-of-life (EOL) experience in long-term care (LTC) based on input from key stakeholders. The study consisted of 10 homogeneous focus groups drawn from a purposive sample of LTC residents (2 groups; total n = 11), family caregivers (2 groups; total n = 19), paraprofessional staff (3 groups; total n = 20), and licensed/registered staff (3 groups; total n = 15) from five nursing homes and eight residential care/assisted living communities in North Carolina. We analyzed data by using grounded theory techniques to elicit manifest and latent themes. Five overarching themes emerged: (a) components of a good death in LTC, (b) normalcy of dying in LTC, (c) the role of relationships in the provision and receipt of care, (d) hospice contributions to care at the EOL in LTC, and (e) stakeholder recommendations for enhancing EOL care in these settings. Underlying these themes was one central category, closeness, based on physical proximity and frequency of contact. Findings suggest that promoting collaborative relationships among the four stakeholder groups, increasing social worker involvement, and removing barriers to hospice may enhance the EOL experience in LTC.

References

Jun 1, 1990·The Gerontologist·J E Bitzan, J M Kruzich
Sep 15, 1998·Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·V F EngleM J Graney
Jan 23, 1999·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·P A SingerM Kelner
Apr 28, 2000·Clinics in Geriatric Medicine·T J Keay, R S Schonwetter
Sep 1, 2000·Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·W M Baer, L C Hanson
Nov 14, 2000·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·K E SteinhauserJ A Tulsky
Nov 14, 2000·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·J ZerzanL Hanson
Sep 5, 2001·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·D L PatrickJ R Curtis
Sep 28, 2001·The Gerontologist·C L PortJ Magaziner
May 25, 2002·Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·Helena Temkin-Greener, Dana B Mukamel
May 31, 2002·Journal of Gerontological Nursing·Janet K Pringle SpechtMeridean L Maas
Nov 5, 2002·The Gerontologist·Jeanie Kayser-Jones
Jun 17, 2003·Journal of the American Medical Directors Association·Sheryl ZimmermanAnn Shy
Jun 19, 2003·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Dan K Kiely, Jonathan M Flacker
Jul 12, 2003·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Joan M Teno
Jul 26, 2003·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Peter A Singer, Michael Wolfson
Jul 26, 2003·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Jocalyn Clark
Mar 12, 2004·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Stephen M Golant
Dec 14, 2004·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Susan C Miller, Vincent Mor
Jun 10, 2005·International Journal of Palliative Nursing·Donna GoodridgeElizabeth McKean
Jun 28, 2005·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Sheryl ZimmermanCory K Chen
Jul 15, 2005·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·David CasarettDavid A Asch
Sep 30, 2005·Journal of Gerontological Nursing·Theris A TouhyCarol J Smith
Sep 27, 2006·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Genevieve N Thompson, Harvey Max Chochinov
Feb 17, 2007·Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·Joan M TenoTerrie Wetle
Mar 28, 2007·Journal of Social Work in End-of-life & Palliative Care·Jean C Munn, Sheryl Zimmerman
May 22, 2007·Journal of Social Work in End-of-life & Palliative Care·Joan BerzoffEsther Chatchkes
May 24, 2007·The International Journal of Medical Robotics + Computer Assisted Surgery : MRCAS·Toril A Nagelhus HernesGeirmund Unsgaard
Mar 29, 2011·Journal of Gerontological Nursing·Angela Kydd

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 24, 2012·Canadian Journal on Aging = La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement·Shelly WaskiewichKelli I Stajduhar
Apr 28, 2010·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Renee R ShieldLisa C Welch
Nov 28, 2012·Journal of the American Medical Directors Association·Kathleen Tschantz UnroeChristopher M Callahan
Sep 11, 2012·Journal of the American Medical Directors Association·Kathryn A FrahmKathryn Hyer
Jun 3, 2011·International Journal of Older People Nursing·Lise-Lotte DwyerBritt-Marie Ternestedt
Oct 15, 2013·Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·Hongdao MengKathryn Hyer
Apr 5, 2014·Japan Journal of Nursing Science : JJNS·JuHee LeeRenea Beckstrand
Sep 18, 2015·Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research·Caroline StephensChristine Ritchie
Feb 7, 2015·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Gail L TowsleyConnie Madden
Jul 6, 2014·Journal of Aging Studies·Mary M BallMolly M Perkins
Feb 1, 2013·Journal of Applied Gerontology : the Official Journal of the Southern Gerontological Society·Cassie GoddardSue Hall
Apr 26, 2017·Behavioral Sciences·Kelly E Tenzek, Rachel Depner
Feb 3, 2011·Nursing Ethics·Elisabeth GjerbergArild Bjørndal
Nov 26, 2014·The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care·L Ashley GageGeorge Demiris
Nov 12, 2013·The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care·Kathryn A FrahmKathryn Hyer
Oct 15, 2011·The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care·Jean Correll Munn
Mar 29, 2016·International Journal of Palliative Nursing·Merle R Kataoka-YahiroAngela Sy
Jan 6, 2010·Health Affairs·Diane E MeierMelissa D A Carlson
Aug 25, 2018·Inquiry : a Journal of Medical Care Organization, Provision and Financing·Justin LordRobert Weech-Maldonado
Feb 12, 2019·Canadian Journal on Aging = La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement·Nisha SutherlandPaula Vangel
Jan 18, 2019·Journal of Social Work in End-of-life & Palliative Care·Alexis C KezirianJanice M Murphy
Oct 20, 2012·Journal of Gerontological Social Work·John G Cagle, Jean C Munn
Apr 7, 2018·Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine·Debra DobbsHongdao Meng
Apr 20, 2018·Journal of Evidence-informed Social Work·Jean MunnHyejin Kim
Sep 19, 2018·Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie·Sandra KurkowskiKäte Volland-Schüssel
Oct 23, 2020·The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care·Leanna Jean TravisEmmanuelle Belanger
Dec 31, 2020·Journal of the American Medical Directors Association·Christine E KistlerSheryl Zimmerman
Feb 12, 2021·Social Work in Health Care·Angelita PritchettMarilyn Rantz

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.