End of life care for the elderly patient: A phenomenological research on A palliative care center

Objective: The aim of this thesis is to reveal the palliative care experiences of elderly patients' relatives who receive palliative care services in a palliative care center, and to understand a palliative care center in the light of the experiences of both patient relatives and palliative care providings professionals. Method: The research was conducted between January 2020 and June 2021 in Antalya TEV Kamile Cephanecioğlu Palliative Care Center. Between these dates, 10 healthcare staff working in the institution and 10 patient relatives accompanying patients over the age of 65 constitute the sample of the study. In the study, the qualitative research method was adopted, the participants were interviewed with face-to-face and semi-structured questionnaires, the interviews were recorded and field notes were kept during the time in the field. Transcription of the audio recordings and field notes were encoded with the coded inductive method, and the data set was obtained. While analyzing the data, the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was adopted. Results: As a result of the coding; 3 main categories were formed as "the process of coming to the center", "the process of staying at the center" and "the process of leaving the center" and 7 sub-categories which are interconnection to main categories. Conclusion: In the palliative care center, it has been observed that the relationships of the relatives of the patients with the staff and each other are the primary factor in making sense of the palliative care center and the care experience. Patient relatives describe the center as a "fearful place" or a "relaxing place" depending on the duration of having the disease for their relatives. While a palliative care center is a business center for semi-formal caregivers, it means a place where they receive care for their relatives, build new social relationships, socialize and develop spiritual support networks. Keywords: palliative care center, old age, the meaning of place