Elderly palliative care cancer patients' descriptions of hope-fostering strategies.

The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of hope-fostering strategies of elderly patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative home care. Using a qualitative thematic research design, saturation was reached with 10 palliative home care patients (mean age 75 years) (five males and five females). Face-to-face audiotaped interviews were conducted in the participants' homes. Participants described hope for: "not suffering more", "living life to the fullest in the little time I have left", a peaceful death, life after death and "hope for a better life in the future" for their family. Using Lubrosky's thematic analysis, themes of fostering their hope were: leaving a legacy, achieving short-term goals, "turn your mind off", supportive family and friends, symbols of hope, positive thoughts, honest information and symptom control.