CARING FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO DIE AT HOME

The person who chooses to die at home rather than in an institution poses unique challenges to the home care nurse committed to providing a comprehensive service. The home setting affects the traditional patient-nurse relationship, with implications for compliance, patient teaching and patient participation in treatment decision making. Caring for dying patients at home also involves some support of the family caregivers. Nurses and other involved professionals can become better caregivers by understanding the issues faced by people dying at home and by learning how to nurture and support their own caring abilities. This paper provides the personal perspective of a how care nurse with 8 years' experience.