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Views on Everyday Life and Reflections on Future Death and Dying Among Older Persons Residing in Nursing Homes: A
Peter Lundberg1, Jane Österlind1, Malin Olsson1
1Department of Health Care Sciences, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Introduction:
Life issues relating to identity, meaning and dignity are inherent to human existence and remain significant throughout the entire lifespan. To meet the needs of older persons residing in nursing homes, it is essential to understand their views on everyday life, particularly regarding the proximity of death, reflections on future death and dying, and the potential for meaning in everyday life. However, these views have received limited attention in research. The aim of this study was therefore to explore older persons' views regarding everyday life and reflections on their future death and dying while residing in nursing homes.
Methods:
A meta-ethnographic synthesis was conducted by searching CINAHL, PubMed and PsycINFO supplemented with manual searches, guided by the SPIDER tool. The synthesis focused on peer-reviewed empirical research papers published in English, between 1 January 2000 and 7 April 2025.
Results:
Eighteen studies were identified and analysed based on older persons' expressed experiences and views on everyday life in nursing homes. Studies with proxy perspectives or mixed-method designs were included; however, only qualitative data representing older persons' own views were extracted and analysed, primarily from participants able to engage in interviews. Three analytic themes were formulated: Loss of the Familiar World, Trying to Maintain Personal Identity, Death as Close and Tangible. An overarching metaphor was synthesised: Maintaining and Shaping a Living Space for a Visible Future.
Conclusions:
Living in a nursing home involves an everyday life marked by losses and an ongoing awareness of future death and dying. At the same time, older persons actively strive to uphold identity, personal dignity and meaningful relationships. Understanding these processes is essential for supporting older persons in everyday nursing care.
Implications For Practice:
Nursing staff should make time for regular conversations about resident' lives and concerns, including thoughts about death and dying, and support activities that help them maintain their sense of self.
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