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What Makes Older Adults Dying Predictable for Nurses in Nursing Homes

K. Iwase 1

1 Adult Nursing, Kawasaki City College of Nursing, Japan

Background: Many nurses in nursing homes in Japan predict the deaths of older adult residents
approximately a month in advance. However, the factors that enable them to predict mortality remain
unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between nurses who can predict the death
of older adults approximately one month in advance and those who cannot, using a care scale for
nursing care, and to consider the factors that enable them to predict the death of older adults.

Methods: A random sample of 150 nurses in a nursing home in Japan was asked whether they had
ever predicted the death of older adults approximately one month in advance and the symptoms of
the older adults from which the prediction was made. They were also asked to self-evaluate whether
they were able to practice 22 items related to care for older adults. Chi-square tests were performed
for the groups of nurses who were able to predict the end-of-life of older adults and those who were
unable to predict the end-of-life of older adults.

Results: There was a significant difference (significance level 5%) between the 131 nurses who were able
to predict the death of older adults and the 19 nurses who were unable to predict the death of older adults
in 5 of the 22 nursing care items, The five items of expectant care included “ Communicating emotions of
non-communicative users to family,” “Ensure user comfort and confirm with the patient,” ”Assess the
family’s developmental stage and individual member roles,” “Support home healthcare transition if
desired,” “Promote pain meds with doctors.”

Conclusion: For nurses to predict the end-of-life of older adults at an early stage, it is necessary not
only at the time of death but also to be close to users and their families on a daily basis.

Keywords: end-of-life care, Japan, nursing home, prediction of death

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Correspondence: Kazue Iwase, Adult Nursing, Kawasaki City College of Nursing, Japan
E-mail: iwase-k@kawasaki-cn.ac.jp

Poster Presentation Abstracts

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