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Sammanfattning

Background: In Norway, death generally takes place at health care institutions. However, despite this fact, the Norwegian health care system desires to look at death as a natural part of life. With few exceptions, systematic knowledge about what characterizes a good death and the quality of treatment and care at the end of life for dying older persons is scarce. Aims: Therefore, this study discusses what empirical research and nursing literature present to be the essential aspects of the «good death», as well as the consequences for nursing care. Methods: A systematic review of the literature and research was used. This method is described as an "integrative review" and was used to systematically provide insights concerning characteristics of the good death for older people. Results: This study found that the holistic care of dying older patients should include a description of how death anxiety can manifest itself in this population, and describe how nurses might alleviate it. Moreover, this study revealed a general agreement on a holistic approach, emphasizing patients’ perceived dignity to be essential, and that specific approaches such as improved documentation, communications, symptom relief and expertise will be important in facilitating a «good death» for older dying patients.

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