CARE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL ELDERLY

The care of the aging population in Cuba becomes a great challenge in the bioethical action, being oncological diseases the first cause of death in this age group, which has repercussions on the quality of the caregiver's performance at home. In this direction, to assess the level of bioethical knowledge presented by the caregivers in the care of the elderly in terminal stage, admitted at home, belonging to the health area, polyclinic "Marta Abreu" of Santa Clara municipality. It was found that the greatest representation of caregivers corresponded to the female sex, between 50-59 years old respectively, with low and higher level of schooling. There was a predominance of learning needs for palliative home care. Insufficient instruction was identified in caregivers about bioethical knowledge, principles and rights, as well as the care of the terminally ill patient. It was pertinent to design a psychoeducational course that would contribute to the performance of this stage with higher quality, respecting bioethical principles and human dignity as the most sacred of rights.