An approach to death in nursing homes: the silent but constant companion of caregivers

Abstract

This text investigates, from a qualitative perspective, the experiences and experiences related to the death of direct care workers in residential centers for the elderly through a mixed methodology. It examines their perceptions and feelings about the loss of caregivers in the workplace, the training received to address the end-of-life process, and their experiences during the pandemic. The results reveal notable challenges, including the constant “replacement rate” due to users’ short stay, lack of emotional training to cope with the end of life, and exceptional situations during COVID-19. This analysis shows how the constant presence of the dead conditions the labor reality in the specific context of the residences, without this being a contemplated aspect in the training of these professional profiles. Among the conclusions and final proposals, the need to incorporate the emotional competencies and skills necessary to face death and grief in a comprehensive way is included, which would improve professional training and the conditions in which caregivers in nursing homes carry out their work.