The Swedish dignity care intervention for older persons with palliative care needs in home care : experiences from nurses

• Background: Older persons’ dignity has to be respected to enhance their quality of life. If not, older persons’ will to live can disappear and their suffering grow. One intervention targeting older persons with palliative care needs, is the Swedish Dignity Care Intervention (DCI-SWE). It includes communication support for nurses with recommendations of evidence-based dignity care actions. Aim: To describe experiences about the DCI-SWE from home care nurses’ (HCNs) perspective.Methods: Data were obtained from three focus group interviews, one individual interview and reflective diaries from HCNs (n=11). Data were analyzed with qualitative inductive content analysis.Results: The DCI-SWE offered structure for HCNs while providing palliative care. It facilitated for HCNs to get an overview of older persons’ concerns and to discuss with the older person. Older persons were thus given an opportunity to be seen and to be listened to. However, there were some prerequisites for introducing DCI-SWE. It facilitated if older persons were informed about their illness, if HCNs had the ability to hold conversations, and had space for uninterrupted meetings with the person. Some HCNs found it challenging to discuss deeper aspects, for example about death, but DCI-SWE was also found to develop some of the HCNs communication skills. Resources supporting the use of DCI-SWE within the organization were managers’ leadership, sufficient time and staff. HCNs also requested time to reflect while using DCI-SWE in their daily practice.Conclusion: DCI-SWE can contribute to communication within general palliative home care, and be a valuable support for HCNs to confirm older persons. DCI-SWE can also assist the care planning of the older person, and provide HCNs with guidance for dignity-conserving care.   

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Gerontologi, medicinsk/hälsovetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Palliative care

Dignity

Older persons

Nursing Science

Vårdvetenskap

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