NURSING CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AT THE END OF LIFE IN LONG-TERM CARE INSTITUTIONS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Palliative care is intended for people with life-limiting illnesses and aims to improve quality of life by relieving pain and suffering. The implementation of long-term care in Long-Term Care Institutions (LTCIs) brings benefits to older adults, as nursing care seeks to provide humanized care, respect for life, integrity, and the autonomy of the elderly. To analyze the scientific evidence on nursing care for older adults at the end of life in Long-Term Care Institutions. This study is an integrative literature review, using a method that serves as a tool for evidence-based practice (EBP). The databases used were the Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) through the Virtual Health Library (VHL); the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) accessed via PubMed; the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) via Elsevier; and the Web of Science. The PICo strategy was used to systematize the guiding question: What scientific evidence is available in the literature regarding nursing care for older adults at the end of life in long-term care institutions? The sample consisted of seven studies published in the last five years, with four studies from 2020 and 2021 and the others from 2023, 2024, and 2025. The research was conducted in Germany, Sweden, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Palliative care shows positive outcomes in the context of institutionalized older adults, as nursing care takes a comprehensive approach, treating the patient as a whole. However, one of the main barriers to providing qualified care in these institutions is the lack of training in palliative care among nursing professionals. Nursing care in this field remains limited due to the lack of opportunities for professional training. Therefore, implementing educational programs to qualify nursing teams in palliative care within LTCIs is of great importance.