Ageing in place--dying in place: competing discourses for care of the dying in aged care policy.

Australian Government aged care policy documents emphasise healthy ageing. Even though death in the aged care setting is a common occurrence, minimal policy exists to underpin activities that surround dying in this setting. Issues and practices about caring well for the dying remain a hidden discourse in aged care policy, the literature and therefore in practice. A discourse analysis of aged care and palliative care policy documents for the period 2000-mid 2001 was undertaken. The analysis highlighted competing discourses about care of the dying in residential aged care. This paper describes the main discourses, explores competing and hidden discourses, and raises questions about the disparities found. The conclusion is that care received by the dying person in Australia is dependent upon the setting in which this care is delivered. 'Dying in place' should be attached to the Government's policy slogan--'Ageing in place'.