End-of-life care perspectives of South Asian older adults with chronic illnesses

Abstract

The focus of this article is to understand the social perspectives of end-of-life care within the South Asian community in Western countries such as the UK, through the influence of spiritual and faith-based approaches, cultural norms, family relationships, and community experiences in healthcare settings. In this paper, South Asian’s perspectives of end-of-life care will be conceptualized using Corr’s (1992) task-based approach to coping with dying (Copp, 1998). This approach helps understand how coping with dying takes various forms and outcomes, going beyond understanding the experiences of a dying person as well as the effects on family and carers (Copp, 1998). This model’s consideration for family and carers is important, especially when understanding their involvement in decision-making during end-of-life care for older adults. The aspects of this approach that will be utilized are the four primary areas of coping with dying: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual (Copp, 1998). Each area of this model can be applied to the ways that the South Asian community perceives end-of-life care and is inclusive of all the different challenges that may be faced during this phase.