Many people still believe that
most people die at home. That’s a comforting thought for them knowing that
loved ones are more in control of matters such as who comes and goes, when and
why they do that. Most of all, they appreciate being able to have more emphasis
on non-medical dying needs. But the reality is that most people die in
hospitals and nursing homes. While recent literature has focused more on the
needs of caregivers in the home setting, it is important to recognize needs of
family members caring
for patients with advanced illness where they serve as the key intermediaries
and decision makers in inpatient settings such as
hospitals.
Focus
groups consisting of dying hospital patients' family members can help identify
the quality of their experiences. Groups
involved in this research had participants aged 46-83, all female, mostly
Caucasian and African American. The results of four such groups followed by
interviews revealed the following eight domains about the quality of family
experiences of dying hospital patients:
1.
Life completion
2.
Symptom impact
3.
Decision making
4.
Preparation for crisis and death
5.
Relationship with healthcare providers
6.
Affirmation of the whole person
7.
Post-death care
8.
Supportive services
Findings
suggest the importance of good communications and relationships in meeting the
clinical needs of family members. The development of more methods to assist
families with the tasks involved with life completion, being prepared for a
crisis and imminent death, and post-death care are needed.
Dr. Ira Byock, palliative care physician and chief medical officer of the
Providence Institute for Human Caring believes
that the fundamental nature of dying is not medical. It's personal. Dying cannot
be encompassed only by a set of medical problems and a set of diagnosis and
treatments. In this video, he explains his perspective on dying in a hospital.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
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