Identifying the palliative care needs of frail, older, housebound patients in the community: A cross-sectional study

Article Article scientifique Article Identifying the palliative care needs of frail, older, housebound patients in the community: A cross-sectional study eng 2023-02-20 author Hentsch Lisa 0000-0002-3430-370X 594583 author Pereira Cristiana 910476 author Pinon Nathalie 948856 author Tahar Chaouche Aurélie 877143 author Pautex Sophie Marie 37604 1-8 10.1017/S1478951523000056 1478-9515 https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1478951523000056/type/journal_article Background: The early introduction of palliative care can have a positive impact on the quality of life of patients suffering from life-limiting diseases. However, the palliative care needs of older, frail, housebound patients are still mostly unknown, as is the impact of frailty on the importance of these needs. Objectives: To identify the palliative care needs of frail, older, housebound patients in the community. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study. This study took place in a single primary care center and included patients who were ≥65 years old, housebound, followed by the Geriatric Community Unit of the Geneva University Hospitals. Results: Seventy-one patients completed the study. Most patients were female (56.9%), and mean age (SD) was 81.1 (±7.9). The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale mean (SD) score was higher in frail patients as opposed to vulnerable patients for tiredness ( p = 0.016), drowsiness ( p = 0.0196), loss of appetite ( p = 0.0124), and impaired feeling of well-being ( p = 0.0132). There was no difference in spiritual well-being, measured by the spiritual scale subgroup of the Functional Assessment of the Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-Being scale (FACIT-sp) between frail and vulnerable participants, although scores in both groups were low. Caregivers were mainly spouses (45%) and daughters (27.5%) with a mean (SD) age of 70.7 (±13.6). The overall carer–burden measured by the Mini-Zarit was low. Significance of results: Older, frail, housebound patients have specific needs that differ from non-frail patients and should guide future palliative care provision. How and when palliative care should be provided to this population remains to be determined. Frailty Palliative care Symptom assessment Caregiver burden Spirituality Dewey 613 Dewey 618.97 65 Département de réadaptation et gériatrie 22B 201 Institut de médecine de premier recours 22A9 false 436 Médecine palliative 709 Palliative & supportive care adc5f922-1385-468a-baaa-7f8b4c2da938 Article (Published version) Public Article-scientifique-from-crossref.pdf 797341 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de réadaptation et gériatrie Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de santé et médecine communautaires / Institut de médecine de premier recours

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Identifying the palliative care needs of frail, older, housebound patients in the community: A cross-sectional study	Palliative & supportive care			2023	289	207

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Pereira, Cristiana