• Exploring the Challenges of Palliative Care in the Elderly: A Review Study
  • Haniyeh Akbarkhah,1 Sobhaneh Kouchakzadeh Talami,2,* Asiyeh Namazi,3
    1. Undergraduate Nursing Student, Young Researchers and Elite Club, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
    2. Department of Nursing, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
    3. Department of Midwifery, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran


  • Introduction: Introduction: The global rise in the elderly population has significantly increased the demand for palliative care as a vital component of modern health systems. Palliative care focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients with advanced chronic illnesses, especially during the end-of-life stage. This narrative review aimed to identify and analyze the main challenges in providing palliative care to the elderly.
  • Methods: Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as SID, Magiran, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, employing MeSH-aligned keywords. Based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 relevant articles were selected for in-depth analysis.
  • Results: Results: The findings indicate several major challenges: shortage of health professionals, insufficient knowledge and training among healthcare providers, cultural and societal barriers, limited financial resources, and ethical challenges in clinical decision-making.
  • Conclusion: Conclusion: Given the multifaceted nature of these challenges, it is imperative for health policymakers, academic institutions, and care providers to adopt an integrated and strategic approach. Policy reform, expansion of specialized training programs, public education on the significance of palliative care, and investment in supportive infrastructure are essential steps toward improving end-of-life care for the elderly. Ultimately, promoting a humanistic, multidimensional, and ethically grounded perspective on aging is vital for advancing palliative care within future health systems.
  • Keywords: Keywords: Palliative care, elderly, challenges, health systems