Needs of elderly patients in palliative care

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2008 Apr-May;25(2):106-11. doi: 10.1177/1049909107305646. Epub 2007 Sep 21.

Abstract

A pilot study on elderly patients' end-of-life needs was performed at a Swedish geriatric palliative ward. Thirty patients (15 men and 15 women; mean age, 79 years) with a primary diagnosis of cancer and admitted for palliative care were interviewed by a nurse using semistructured interviews. The study included demographic data, physical and psychologic status, and naming and ranking of individual needs. Elimination of physical pain was ranked as the primary need of half of the patients. Only when pain was eliminated or absent did other important needs (psychological, social, spiritual) appear frequently.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology
  • Aged / psychology*
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Cough / etiology
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Inpatients / psychology*
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Needs Assessment / organization & administration*
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Pain / etiology
  • Palliative Care* / organization & administration
  • Palliative Care* / psychology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Spirituality
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sweden