Fin de vie en soins de longue durée

In long-term care, the focus is on creating and maintaining an environment that humanizes and individualizes each resident. This article is based on the experience of a long-term care facility in France where an average of one resident dies each week. After some definitions, epidemiology and symptomatology are considered. The end of life invokes strong feelings in those who love and care for the resident, including family, caregivers and volunteers. Other residents may also be affected. Physicians and other professionals must support the resident and family, interpret the resident's needs, and assist the family and others in meeting their own needs during this difficult period. Some prospective methods of providing support are submitted for the reader's consideration.