End-of-life care in the oldest old.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the last year of life of a sample of the oldest old, focusing on care trajectories, health, social networks, and function in daily life activities.


METHODS
Data originated from the NONA study, a longitudinal study of 193 individuals among the oldest old living in a Swedish municipality. During this longitudinal study, 109 participants died. Approximately one month after their death, a relative was asked to participate in a telephone interview concerning their relative's last year of life. One hundred two relatives agreed to participate.


RESULTS
Most of the elderly in this sample of the oldest old (74.5%) died at an institution and the relatives were mostly satisfied with the end-of-life care. The oldest old relatives estimated that the health steadily declined during the last year of life, and that there was a decline in performing of daily life activities. They also estimated that those dying in institutions had fewer social contacts than those dying in a hospital or at home.


CONCLUSIONS
Care at end of life for the oldest old is challenged by problems with progressive declines in ability to perform activities of daily living and health. The findings also highlight the need to support social networks at eldercare institutions.
Bravell
Marie Ernsth
ME
Institute of Gerontology, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Sweden. erma@hhj.hj.se
Malmberg
Bo
B
Berg
Stig
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*