Needs of elderly patients in palliative care.
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.
Wijk
Helle
H
Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. helle.wijk@vgregion.se
Grimby
Agneta
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden