Life's hard and then you die: the end-of-life priorities of people experiencing homelessness in the UK.
Int J Palliat Nurs
; 26(3): 120-132, 2020 Mar 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32275478
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
People experiencing homelessness often die young and without adequate support. In the UK, they fail to access palliative care services and their end-of-life priorities remain poorly understood.AIMS:
To explore the end-of-life concerns, fears, preferences and priorities of a sample of people experiencing homelessness in the UK.METHODS:
This is an interpretive phenomenology. Data collected through semi-structured, audio-recorded, face-to-face interviews with 21 homeless participants in the UK were analysed iteratively using thematic analysis. Findings have been interpreted through the lens of Merleau-Ponty's philosophy.RESULTS:
Eight themes are reported spiritual concerns; practical concerns; fear of needing care; fear of being forgotten; preference for dying suddenly; preference for being somewhere comfortable where people know me; prioritising autonomy and self-determination; and prioritising authenticity.CONCLUSION:
A strengths-based, trauma-informed, person-centred, collaborative 'compassionate community' approach to care is recommended for people experiencing homelessness at end of life.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Terminal Care
/
Ill-Housed Persons
/
Patient Preference
/
Health Priorities
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Palliat Nurs
Journal subject:
ENFERMAGEM
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: