Basic Human Needs in the Elderly Receiving Palliative Care: A Scoping Review

Thaciane Alves Mota; Manuela Bastos Alves; Ailton de Oliveira Dantas; Erica Brandão de Moraes; Anderson Reis de Sousa; Rudval Souza da Silva

doi:10.14475/jhpc.2022.25.4.178

Basic Human Needs in the Elderly Receiving Palliative Care: A Scoping Review

J Hosp Palliat Care. 2022 Dec 1;25(4):178-192. doi: 10.14475/jhpc.2022.25.4.178.

Authors

Thaciane Alves Mota¹, Manuela Bastos Alves^{1

2}, Ailton de Oliveira Dantas², Erica Brandão de Moraes^{3

4}, Anderson Reis de Sousa¹, Rudval Souza da Silva^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Postgraduate Programme in Nursing and Health at the School of Nursing, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
² Nursing Collegiate, Bahia State University, Senhor do Bonfim, Bahia, Brazil.
³ School of Nursing, Federal Fluminense University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
⁴ Brazilian Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare: JBI Centre of Excellence, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract

Purpose: This scoping review identified scientific evidence on basic human needs (BHNs) in the elderly receiving palliative care.

Methods: Systematic searches were conducted using six electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Lilacs, IBECS, and Web of Science). The initial search resulted in 1,227 articles, of which 104 were identified as potentially relevant. Fifty-three articles that met the inclusion criteria were identified and included in the final analysis.

Results: Using the three hierarchical dimensions of the BHN model, 17 needs were organised, with five in the psychobiological dimension, 10 in the psychosocial dimension, and two in the psychospiritual dimension. These needs reflect the importance of care with dignity and relief from suffering for the elderly in palliative care.

Conclusion: Recognising impaired BHNs in elderly people receiving palliative care will contribute to better care plans for the elderly, considering the multiple bio-psycho-social-spiritual dimensions of BHNs. This review points to a predominance of psychosocial needs.

Keywords: Aged; Hospice and palliative care nursing; Needs assessment; Palliative care; Review; Terminal care.