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Palliative Care in the Long-Term Care Setting

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Meeting the Needs of Older Adults with Serious Illness

Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME))

Abstract

Over 25 % of adults, age 65 and older, including 67 % of persons with advanced dementia, live their final days in nursing homes. Despite the billions of dollars spent on nursing home services, care in this setting is associated with poor symptom control, burdensome transitions, and low family satisfaction with care. Palliative care is one approach to enhancing care for nursing home residents with progressive, life-limiting illnesses. This chapter describes models of palliative care delivery in nursing homes including strengths and challenges with each model. We also recommend several policy changes that can advance the care of older adults living and dying in this setting.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National PROMISE Center, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Mary Ersek Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.

  2. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, 3900 Woodland Avenue, Annex, Suite 203, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Mary Ersek Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.

  3. 2012–2014 National Hartford Centers of Gerontological, Nursing Excellence Patricia G. Archbold Scholar, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Justine S. Sefcik M.S., R.N. (Doctoral Student)

  4. Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

    David G. Stevenson S.M., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Mary Ersek Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.
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  2. Justine S. Sefcik M.S., R.N.
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  3. David G. Stevenson S.M., Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Ersek Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA

    Amy S. Kelley

  2. Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA

    Diane E. Meier

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Ersek, M., Sefcik, J.S., Stevenson, D.G. (2014). Palliative Care in the Long-Term Care Setting. In: Kelley, A., Meier, D. (eds) Meeting the Needs of Older Adults with Serious Illness. Aging Medicine. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0407-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0407-5_6

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