Att kunna förbereda sig för framtiden

: En litteraturstudie om närståendes upplevelser av stöd när en familjemedlem vårdas i sen palliativ fas i hemmet

Abstract

Background: The role played by next of kins in the public health care system has, of late, become increasingly important. Every year 50,000 people contract cancer in Sweden. During the final stages of life, when the illness has reached the late palliative phase, an increasing amount of patients choose to be nursed at home. Subsequently, more responsibility is placed upon relatives and their need of support increases. Purpose: The purpose with this study was to illustrate next of kin’s experiences of support when a member of the family suffering from cancer was nursed at home during the late palliative phase. Method: The study is an overview of literature based on scientific articles from previous research. Findings: The study’s findings show that next of kins experienced most support in situations associated with coping with the daily chores or when having to prepare themselves for the future. However, next of kins also experienced a lack of support and reported feeling insufficient and abandoned. Information about the family member’s illness and nursing of the same as well as a comprehension of what they, as next of kins, might expect of the future constituted a significant support. Nevertheless, they felt ignored in contacts with professional health care providers which contributed to a feeling of loneliness. Conclusion: When next of kins find themselves in a situation where their needs of support is not always fully satisfied, it is of great importance that professional health care providers notice and include the next of kins individual needs of support in all respects.