"Life goes on": Perspectives on the will to live from residents of Swiss long-term care facilities.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_142F21E261DB
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
"Life goes on": Perspectives on the will to live from residents of Swiss long-term care facilities.
Journal
Palliative & supportive care
ISSN
1478-9523 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1478-9515
Publication state
In Press
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: aheadofprint
Publication Status: aheadofprint
Abstract
While there is a growing body of literature on the wish to die in older patients, there is little research about their will to live. Exploring the subjective will to live (WTL) offers valuable insights into the patients' resources and motivations, which could help improving geriatric palliative care. The aim of this study was to examine, in long-term care facilities (LTCF), residents' definitions of and factors influencing their WTL.
Twenty residents (mean age 85.8 ± 10.3 years, 70% women) of 3 Swiss LTCFs gave informed consent and participated in semi-structured interviews about their WTL. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurrent themes (40% double coded).
The majority of residents reported that they had not thought about the WTL. Nevertheless, they had no difficulty in describing it as innate in their lives. They spontaneously mentioned factors that contributed to their WTL, classified into 5 themes: (1) relationships - primarily with family and health professionals, secondarily with other residents; (2) living situation - the LTCF as a necessary place providing care, constant professional presence, and security, yet necessitates inconveniences such as loss of independence; (3) personality factors - positive outlook on life or spirituality; (4) engagement in routines - organized activities and individual daily routines; and (5) health status - primarily related to functional health.
Examining WTL provides important insights into elements that are essential to take into account in planning care and promoting well-being in LTCF residents. The themes identified provide important starting points for improving life in LTCFs.
Twenty residents (mean age 85.8 ± 10.3 years, 70% women) of 3 Swiss LTCFs gave informed consent and participated in semi-structured interviews about their WTL. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurrent themes (40% double coded).
The majority of residents reported that they had not thought about the WTL. Nevertheless, they had no difficulty in describing it as innate in their lives. They spontaneously mentioned factors that contributed to their WTL, classified into 5 themes: (1) relationships - primarily with family and health professionals, secondarily with other residents; (2) living situation - the LTCF as a necessary place providing care, constant professional presence, and security, yet necessitates inconveniences such as loss of independence; (3) personality factors - positive outlook on life or spirituality; (4) engagement in routines - organized activities and individual daily routines; and (5) health status - primarily related to functional health.
Examining WTL provides important insights into elements that are essential to take into account in planning care and promoting well-being in LTCF residents. The themes identified provide important starting points for improving life in LTCFs.
Keywords
Geriatric palliative care, Long-term care facility, Thematic analysis, Will to live, Wish to live
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Funding(s)
Other / Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences
Fondation Leenaards
Create date
08/01/2023 12:36
Last modification date
07/09/2024 7:02