Aim: To illuminate relatives need of support when caring for or supporting a person suffering from mental illness Background: Relatives of a person suffering from mental illness have different needs. It has for the past few years merely been little improvements in the relative's situation. Methods: Focus group interviews with fourteen relatives. Data were analyzed through manifest content analysis. Findings: Three categories were found: Functioning contact channels to the psychiatric health care organization, Need of an active support from the psychiatric health care organization and Need of support from community resources. Conclusion: The relatives need more attention and understanding for their situation. The support of relatives must be designed and monitored individually. A collaboration or a well-functioning relation with the psychiatric nurses, other professionals working in the health care organisation and social services gives a mutual respect and trust which in turn leads to that the relative is confirmed as an important resource in the care of the mentally ill person. The relatives need an increased support and understanding from the community.

Bakgrund: Den äldre populationen ökar och många av de äldre lider av flera olika sjukdomar. Därmed ökar behovet av professionell och god omvårdnad. Den äldre människan som ofta lider av flera sjukdomar bor vanligtvis sista tiden av sitt liv på vård- och omsorgsboende. Äldre människor vårdas inte utifrån ett palliativt perspektiv trots att behov föreligger. Palliativ vård kopplas ofta ihop med människor som är under 65 år och har en obotlig sjukdom exempelvis cancer. Syfte: Att belysa hur den äldre människan vårdas i livets slut på vård- och omsorgsboende, ur de äldres, de närståendes och vårdpersonalens perspektiv. Metod: En litteraturstudie inspirerad av Friberg (2006). Tio kvalitativa artiklar och en kvantitativ artikel har analyserats och strukturerats utifrån den teoretiska referensramen. Teoretisk referensram: Den palliativa vårdens fyra hörnstenar; Symtomkontroll, teamarbete, kommunikation/delaktighet och närståendestöd. Resultat: Samtliga områden visade på stora brister i omvårdnaden om den äldre personen. Sjuksköterskan var ofta ensam i beslutet angående symtomlindring. De äldre kände sig i vägen och till besvär. Vårdpersonalen önskade mer handledning av sjuksköterskan. Närstående saknade information och delaktighet i beslut som rörde livsuppehållande åtgärder. Diskussion: Kunskap, information och kommunikationsbrist har visat sig leda till bristande omvårdnad kring den äldre personen på vård- och omsorgsboenden. Tydligare riktlinjer, samtal och en sammanhållen arbetsgrupp behövs för att kunna möta den äldre personens individuella behov. / Background: The population of elderly people is increasing and many of those suffer from multiple illnesses, thereby the need for professional and high quality care increases. The elderly suffering from multiple illnesses usually live their final years in nursing homes, and are not cared for throw a palliative approach, despite the need for it. Palliative care is often associated with people younger than 65 years and with an incurable disease, such as cancer.  Aim: To illustrate how elderly people are cared for during end- of- life in nursing homes, from the elderly, next of kin and nursing staff perspective. Method: A literature review inspired by Friberg (2006). Ten qualitative articles and one quantitative article have been analyzed and structured using the theoretical framework. Theoretical framework: The corner stones of palliative care; symptom control, teamwork, communication / involvement and support to next of kin. Result: All areas were lacking in the care of the elderly. The nurse was often alone in the decision making process regarding symptom relief for the elderly. The elderly felt that they were in nuisance and in the way for the staff. The caring staff wanted more guidance from the registered nurse. Next of kin were missing information and participation in decision making process concerning life prolonging measures. Discussion: Lack of knowledge, information and communication are shown and was leading to inadequate caring for the elderly in nursing homes. Clearer guidelines, dialogue, and a good teamwork are needed to meet the older person's individual needs.