Perceptions of quality of life among elderly people in palliative care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36517/2175-6783.20262796235Keywords:
Palliative Care; Aged; Quality of Life; Death; Nursing Theory.Abstract
Objective: to understand perceptions of quality of life among elderly people receiving palliative care. Methods: a qualitative study was conducted in two charitable hospitals involving elderly people receiving palliative care, considering the Peaceful End of Life Theory. The Convergent Care Research technique was used, with interviews. The textual corpus was processed using IRaMuTeQ software. Results: twenty-nine elderly people (aged 66–70), mainly men, retired, married, diagnosed with chronic renal failure or cancer, participated. It was identified that interpersonal relationships, spirituality, hope, and leisure activities sustain quality of life and help individuals cope with pain and finitude. Conclusion: the perception of quality of life involves multiple dimensions of living and dying, which corroborate the assumptions of the Peaceful End of Life Theory. Contributions to practice: the study supports nursing in the qualification of palliative care practices for the elderly, particularly in emotional support, symptom management, and therapeutic communication.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Edna Marília Nóbrega Fonseca de Araújo, Alana Vieira Lordão, Isabelle Cristinne Pinto Costa, Glenda Agra, Adriana Marques Pereira de Melo Alves, Patrícia Serpa de Souza Batista, Maria Eliane Moreira Freire

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