The geriatric XXXX experience at the end of life: testing an adapted model.

@entity5 @entity1
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To test an adapted end-of-life conceptual model of the geriatric @entity5 experience and provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the model for use in practice and research. DESIGN: Nonexperimental and cross-sectional using baseline data collected within 24-72 hours of admission to hospice. SETTING: Two hospices in the southeastern United States. SAMPLE: 403 hospice homecare @entity1 ; 56% were @entity1 and 97% were Caucasian with a mean age of 77.7 years. METHODS: Confirmatory factor analyses using structural equation modeling with AMOS statistical software. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Clinical status; physiologic, psychological, and spiritual variables; and quality of life (QOL). FINDINGS: A three-factor model with QOL as an outcome variable showed that 67% of the variability in QOL is explained by the @entity1 's symptom and spiritual experiences. CONCLUSIONS: As symptoms and associated severity and distress increase, the @entity1 's QOL decreases. As the spiritual experience increases (the expressed need for inspiration, spiritual activities, and religion), QOL also increases. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The model supports caring for the physical and metaphysical dimensions of the @entity1 's life. It also highlights a need for holistic care inclusive of physical, emotional, and spiritual domains.
