At tale om livet og døden i ældreplejen

Abstract: It can be challenging for health care professionals to talk about life and death with nursing home residents and their relatives. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of health care professionals working in a nursing home setting when dealing with existential questions and conversations with old people.
A phenomenological approach was conducted, revealing three themes: Getting to know the old person; A changed life situation; and Developing reflection competencies.
The study concluded that the health care professionals experienced a diversity of existential questions when caring for old people in the end-of-life phase. Lack of knowledge and reflective space to share experiences influenced the handling of existential questions. Furthermore, the organizational practice setting often prioritized biomedical care needs.
Implications for practice are suggested, such as rethinking existing meetings and introducing reflective space to discuss the existential needs of old people, enhancing an approach that leans more towards holistic care.