Recognising and alleviating unbearable suffering in residents living in Swiss nursing homes: a grounded theory study on nursing staff’s perspectives on sedating medications and palliative sedation

RNs and HCAs in nursing homes face complex challenges when recognising, assessing and alleviating suffering with sedating medications. Ensuring safe and ethical practice requires sufficient staffing, adequate training, clear protocols, and access to specialised palliative care support. Without sufficient expertise, interprofessional collaboration, and shared decision-making, residents risk either inadequate relief of suffering or inappropriate sedation.