Does using a hospital bed have an impact on the meaning of home?

During the end of life care of patients with cancer, hospital beds are often introduced into the home setting. The impact of this intervention is not known. Clinical experience of the phenomena indicates that two components may be relevant in this scenario - the preference for home care and the meaning of home. A review of related literature revealed that there is a high preference for being at home at the end of life and that 'home' has multiple meanings for people such as familiarity, control and biography. The meaning of home has implications for community nursing practice.