Palliative care nursing education: opportunities for gerontological nurses.
Approximately 80% of Americans who die each year are 65 or older. Increasingly, gerontological nurses are asked to deliver high quality end-of-life care. Studies, however, have identified deficiencies in the delivery of care to older adults who are dying-particularly those who die in nursing homes. Enhancing nursing education and training in end-of-life care is one strategy proposed as a remedy for inadequate care for nursing home residents who are dying. This article reviews the current status of end-of-life nursing home care, describes the philosophy and components of quality palliative care, and provides information about opportunities and resources for educating gerontological nurses in end-of-life care.
Ersek
Mary
M
Pain Research Department, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Ferrell
Betty R
BR
D000368:Aged; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D012956:Societies, Nursing; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States