The experience of being next of kin to an older person in the last phase of life.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the experience of being next of kin to an older person in the last phase of life as narrated after the older person's death.


METHODS
Qualitative interviews were performed with the next of kin (n = 17) to people aged 75 years and older who had recently died and had received help and/or care from the municipality in the last phase of life. Eleven women and six men participated, of whom seven were spouses, nine were children, and one was a grandchild. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
The experience of the next of kin could be understood as being a devoted companion during the transition toward the inevitable end, embracing the categories of living in the shadow of death; focusing on the needs of the dying person, making adjustments to everyday life; feeling the major responsibility; struggling with the health and social care system; and gaining strength from support.


CONCLUSIONS
Being next of kin to an old person at the end of life means being a devoted companion during the transition toward the inevitable end, including the feeling of bearing the major responsibility and the need to be acknowledged by professionals. This study points to the importance of having access to professional care when it is needed, to complement and support the next of kin when his or her own resources and strength falter. This also includes support to enable the next of kin to remain involved in the care of his or her loved ones, thereby fulfilling their own wishes.
Andersson
Magdalena
M
Department of Health Sciences and the Vårdal Institute, Lund, Sweden. magdalena.andersson@eslov.se
Ekwall
Anna K
AK
Hallberg
Ingalill R
IR
Edberg
Anna-Karin
AK
D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D010166:Palliative Care; D013727:Terminal Care