Journal of palliative medicine
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Multicenter Study
Initial assessment of a new instrument to measure quality of life at the end of life.
We conducted this study to pilot a new multidimensional instrument to assess the quality of life at the end of life. ⋯ We have developed a new instrument to measure the quality of life at the end of life that assesses empirically derived domains that are of demonstrated importance to dying patients, is acceptable to a seriously ill population, and exhibits excellent psychometric properties. Some items related to completion and preparation represent particularly new contributions to quality-of-life measurement.
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To describe the palliative care needs of dying nursing home residents during the last 3 months of life. ⋯ Dying nursing home residents need improved emotional and spiritual care, help with personal cleanliness, and treatment for pain. Efforts to improve end-of-life care in nursing homes should combine traditional palliative care services with increased attention to emotional symptoms and personal care services.