A study of the factors which enable terminal care at geriatric intermediate care facilities in Japan: An interview of nurse management

摘要

Introduction: Most elderly people die in hospitals, but only 2.6% in institutions for the aged. We predict, however, that mortality rates for older people in institutions will increase rapidly in the future. The purpose of this study is to clarify the factors in providing terminal care at geriatric intermediate care facilities. Method: Data were generated by interviews with four nurse managers asking them the present condition and problems of terminal care. The nurse managers were associated with geriatric intermediate care facilities in E prefecture (23.0% of the aging rate) in Japan. Results: The results indicated that there were three types of factors which affect terminal care at geriatric intermediate care facilities: 1) whether a facility is established as an annex to hospital or not, 2) the policies of the facility administrator, and 3) the attitude of the nurse manager toward terminal care. Current problems to be addressed for terminal care at geriatric intermediate care facilities are improving on circumstances of elderly residents, providing them with private rooms, training staff with regard to terminal care, retaining night nurses, and consistently confirming and coordinating the will of both the elderly and their families as to where, by whom, and how they want to be treated during their terminal care.