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Palliative Care in the Ageing European Population: A Cross-Country Comparison

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Cerullo

    (Palliative Care, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, 8000-386 Algarve, Portugal
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Teodora Figueiredo

    (CINTESIS@RISE, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Porto4Ageing—Competences Centre on Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Constantino Coelho

    (CINTESIS@RISE, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Porto4Ageing—Competences Centre on Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Cláudia Silva Campos

    (CINTESIS@RISE, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Porto4Ageing—Competences Centre on Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • António Videira-Silva

    (Pediatric University Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
    Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
    Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Educação Física, Exercício e Saúde (CIDEFES), Universidade Lusófona, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Joana Carrilho

    (CINTESIS@RISE, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Porto4Ageing—Competences Centre on Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Luís Midão

    (CINTESIS@RISE, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Porto4Ageing—Competences Centre on Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Elísio Costa

    (CINTESIS@RISE, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Porto4Ageing—Competences Centre on Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

With Europe’s ageing population and rising demand for palliative care, it is crucial to examine the use of palliative care among older adults during their last years of life and understand the factors influencing their access and end-of-life circumstances. This study employed a cohort of SHARE participants aged 65 years or older who had passed away between Wave 6 (2015) and Wave 7 (2017). Information on death circumstances, palliative care utilization, and associated variables were analysed. The study revealed that nearly 13.0% of individuals across these countries died under palliative care, with Slovenia having the lowest rate (0.3%) and France the highest (30.4%). Palliative care utilization in the last 30 days before death was observed in over 24.0% of participants, with the Czech Republic having the lowest rate (5.0%) and Greece the highest (48.8%). A higher risk of using or dying in palliative care was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (low verbal fluency), physical inactivity, and good to excellent self-perceived health. This work highlights the urgent need for enhanced global access to palliative care and advocates for the cross-country comparison of effective practices within Europe, tailored to the unique healthcare needs of older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Cerullo & Teodora Figueiredo & Constantino Coelho & Cláudia Silva Campos & António Videira-Silva & Joana Carrilho & Luís Midão & Elísio Costa, 2024. "Palliative Care in the Ageing European Population: A Cross-Country Comparison," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:1:p:113-:d:1322789
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mostofa Kamal Chowdhury & Shafiquejjaman Saikot & Nadia Farheen & Nezamuddin Ahmad & Sarwar Alam & Stephen R. Connor, 2023. "Impact of Community Palliative Care on Quality of Life among Cancer Patients in Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Diana Portela & Marta Almada & Luís Midão & Elísio Costa, 2020. "Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (iADL) Limitations in Europe: An Assessment of SHARE Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Miguel Antonio Sánchez-Cárdenas & Eduardo Garralda & Edgar Benítez & Natalia Arias-Casais & Danny van Steijn & Carlos Centeno, 2021. "Palliative Care Coverage across European National Health Systems: Proposal of a Synthetic Indicator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-10, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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