TY - JOUR

T1 - What evidence is there about the specific environmental needs of older people who are near the end of life and are cared for in hospices or similar institutions? a literature review.

AU - Rigby, Janet

AU - Payne, Sheila

AU - Froggatt, Katherine

PY - 2010/4

Y1 - 2010/4

N2 - Relatively little is known about the type of physical environment which is needed and preferred by patients aged 65 and over, with a prognosis of 1 year or less, who are receiving care in hospitals, care homes and hospices, and their families and staff. A narrative literature review was conducted to identify and analyse evidence on this issue, with twenty-nine papers meeting the inclusion criteria. The patients were found to have a wide range of views on their environment, but there was some variation between the views of patients and those of their families and staff. Four main themes emerged: the physical environment should be ‘homely’; it should support patients’ need for social interaction and privacy; it should support the caring activities of staff, family members and patients; and it should allow opportunities for spiritual expression. It is evident that the physical environment contributes significantly to the quality of life of older people with a life-limiting illness, and there is a need for more research in this area. Regular assessment of patients’ environmental needs should form part of care planning.

AB - Relatively little is known about the type of physical environment which is needed and preferred by patients aged 65 and over, with a prognosis of 1 year or less, who are receiving care in hospitals, care homes and hospices, and their families and staff. A narrative literature review was conducted to identify and analyse evidence on this issue, with twenty-nine papers meeting the inclusion criteria. The patients were found to have a wide range of views on their environment, but there was some variation between the views of patients and those of their families and staff. Four main themes emerged: the physical environment should be ‘homely’; it should support patients’ need for social interaction and privacy; it should support the caring activities of staff, family members and patients; and it should allow opportunities for spiritual expression. It is evident that the physical environment contributes significantly to the quality of life of older people with a life-limiting illness, and there is a need for more research in this area. Regular assessment of patients’ environmental needs should form part of care planning.

KW - aged

KW - environment design

KW - facility design and construction

KW - review

KW - hospice

KW - residential facilities

KW - terminal care

U2 - 10.1177/0269216309350253

DO - 10.1177/0269216309350253

M3 - Journal article

VL - 24

SP - 268

EP - 285

JO - Palliative Medicine

JF - Palliative Medicine

SN - 1477-030X

IS - 3

ER -