[Palliative care network and the elderly: what autonomy do they have?]. / Soins palliatifs en réseau et patients âgés: quelle autonomie pour eux?

Several Swiss institutions of a socio-sanitary region have put together a network with the view of assuring efficient palliative care. A research was conducted in partnership with four health-care establishments in order to verify if the concept of autonomy conceived by professionals corresponded to the patients' needs. Semi-directive interviews were conducted, along with questionnaires. The analysis showed a considerable disparity between palliative philosophy and the real needs of elderly patients. The aging process experienced by the people interviewed was synonymous with illness, loss, suffering and quality of life are associated with youth. The dimension of the projects and partnerships is difficult for them to imagine.