Care for the dying in Denmark

In Denmark terminal nursing and care (TC) have become a hospital duty during the last four to five decades. The terminal stage of the elderly is hard to delimit. Death often comes undramatically and unpredictably. Many are found dead in their beds in the morning without any preliminary complaints. In 1989, 63% of all deaths occurred in hospitals, 78% of which were persons over 65 years old. Seventeen per cent died in rest homes, and only about 5% died a planned death in their homes. TC can be considered from four different angles: communication, practical arrangements, pain treatment, nursing and care. A definition of the general demands for the care offer is made, and the development of TC in Denmark is explained, extended home care nursing arrangements with care 24 hours day, better pain control, introduction of support for nursing the dying at home. Thus, dying at home is now an actual alternative to institutional death.