It is projected that in Australia there will be between 28% and 48% of palliative care patients living alone by the year 2031. As such, it will become increasingly important to provide appropriate home-based care in order to support these patients to be cared for and die at home.
Aim:
This study explored the experiences of community-based palliative care cancer patients who live alone without a caregiver and what psychosocial issues they face.
Methods:
Face-to-face semistructured interviews were conducted with eight participants, and constant comparison was used for the analysis.
Findings:
Four main themes emerged: (1) loss of social networks; (2) maintaining independence; (3) balancing independence and the need for assistance; and (4) planning for the end of life.
Discussion:
Participants balanced independence with the need to accept help in order to maintain independence. Participants became more flexible about their preferred place of death.
Conclusion:
The practice implications for working with people close to death who are living alone are that supports and assistance may be needed to maintain social networks and also a sense of independence.
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