Long-Term Care

Abstract

Long-term care is a set of services required for the physical, social, and psychological needs of persons who are not able to function independently; for purposes of this chapter, we focus on residential long-term care homes as the setting for community-based palliative care. Palliative care is a philosophy that is rooted in the notion that all persons are deserving of a good death and that persons should live well until they die, including those living in residential long-term care homes. Indeed, there are several organizations that advocate that the palliative care philosophy should guide care practices within residential long-term care homes, owing to the significant needs presented by residents, whether they are actively dying or not. We advocate that an integrated approach to palliative care is necessary and that registered nurses with expertise in palliative care are in a unique position to champion this approach in residential long-term care homes.