Abstract
Abstract The number of elderly persons institutionalized in residential facilities that provide various types of care is increasing all the time. Care is provided by caregivers who, often unknowingly, are delivering palliative care, and in doing so, are accompanying the elderly persons to their death. The aim of the present study was to investigate how terminal illness and death are experienced by caregivers. A qualitative explorative-descriptive study was carried out, featuring a phenomenological approach, in accordance with Giorgi. The sample was comprised of nine individuals who worked in residential facilities, with data collected through a semi-structured interview. Following data analysis, eight categories were defined: relationship with the elderly person; positive experiences, positive feelings, negative experiences, negative feelings, strategies, consequences and training. These categories were then divided into subcategories. It can be concluded that the caregivers experienced great difficulty when dealing with suffering at the end of life. This did not prevent them from enjoying their work, and a number of positive aspects of their relationships with the elderly were mentioned. The need to provide more support for these professionals, whether through further training or the level of psychological support provided, is also fundamental in this area of palliative care, as only in this way will individuals feel more able and confident about performing their tasks, brining greater benefit for the elderly persons.
Highlights
While in 2001 the population in Portugal aged over 65 years represented around 16.5% of the total population, by 2013 it had reached 19.9%
The longevity of populations, accompanied by various social and family changes, raises concerns about the end of life care of elderly people living in institutions
People may not suffer from an explicit disease, but the risk of such diseases arising is greater than among younger people.[3]
Summary
While in 2001 the population in Portugal aged over 65 years represented around 16.5% of the total population, by 2013 it had reached 19.9%. This growth means Portugal has the fourth highest proportion of elderly persons in the European Union. The longevity of populations, accompanied by various social and family changes, raises concerns about the end of life care of elderly people living in institutions. People may not suffer from an explicit disease, but the risk of such diseases arising is greater than among younger people.[3]
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