Challenges in End-of-Life and Death Care Management in Portuguese Residential Care Facilities: A Qualitative Study
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Palavras-chave

end-of-life care
Residencial Care Facilities for Older Adults
Organizatinal Challenges

Como Citar

Challenges in End-of-Life and Death Care Management in Portuguese Residential Care Facilities: A Qualitative Study. (2025). RIAGE - Revista Ibero-Americana De Gerontologia, 8(8), 496-504. https://doi.org/10.61415/riage.406

Resumo

Background: Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) increasingly welcome older adults with progressive and incurable diseases that will inevitably lead to death. However, structural, organizational and relational difficulties persist that limit the quality of end-of-life care provided in these institutions. Objective: To understand the main difficulties and limitations faced by RCFs’ teams in the provision of end-of-life care. Methods: Qualitative and exploratory study, using a focus group, involving eight health professionals - Doctors, nurses and Physical Therapist - with experience in RCFs and advanced training in palliative care. The data were submitted to thematic analysis using the WebQda software. Results: Five main themes emerged: (1) Organizational and internal communication weaknesses; (2) Structural and technical limitations; (3) Lack of protocols and early planning; (4) Limitations in coordination with external teams; and (5) Cultural and emotional barriers related to death. Conclusions: The results suggest the need to train health professionals, improve inter-institutional coordination, early planning and organization in RCFs, in order to ensure dignified and person-centered end-of-life care.

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Referências

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Direitos de Autor (c) 2025 Cristiana Nascimento, Margarida Cerqueira, Paula Santos