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Use of a “baby bottle” to allow a “better-than-nothing” death in older adults infected by COVID-19 in Quebec retirement homes – A case study

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  • Robitaille, Andréanne
  • David, Pierre Marie
  • Collin, Johanne

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront profound questions surrounding dying and the concept of a “good death”. This qualitative case study, conducted in a health center in Quebec, Canada, severely affected by outbreaks during the pandemic's first wave, explores end-of-life care for older adults in retirement homes. Through thirty interviews with healthcare practitioners, researchers, and managers, we investigate the critical role of a pharmacological device referred to as the “baby bottle” in providing end-of-life care to older adults infected with COVID-19 in their homes. Drawing upon the boundary object framework, we examine the ambiguities surrounding the use of this device and explores its agency. In this unprecedented context, we argue that the device facilitated a form of death that could be described as “better than nothing”, embodying practitioners' efforts to provide some dignity to the dying person, by minimally controlling the distress and ensuring a connection between the dying person and the care team. Additionally, it served as a means of coping with the pandemic's intolerable aspects, such as the exclusion of frail older adults for the supposed common good. This study raises questions about the legitimacy and normalization of such compensatory measure within under-resourced healthcare systems for older people experiencing a loss of autonomy.

Suggested Citation

  • Robitaille, Andréanne & David, Pierre Marie & Collin, Johanne, 2024. "Use of a “baby bottle” to allow a “better-than-nothing” death in older adults infected by COVID-19 in Quebec retirement homes – A case study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:359:y:2024:i:c:s0277953624005252
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Collier, Aileen & Broom, Alex, 2021. "Unsettling Place(s) at the end of life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    2. McNamara, Beverley, 2004. "Good enough death: autonomy and choice in Australian palliative care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(5), pages 929-938, March.
    3. Paul E Farmer & Bruce Nizeye & Sara Stulac & Salmaan Keshavjee, 2006. "Structural Violence and Clinical Medicine," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(10), pages 1-6, October.
    4. Broom, Alex & Parker, Rhiannon B. & Kenny, Katherine, 2019. "Authenticity, ambivalence and recognition in caring at the end of life and beyond," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
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