Background:

The need for palliative care is increasing both in Sweden and in rest of the world. Palliative care aims to relieve suffering and improve well-being for both the patient with an incurable disease and his or hers family in the end of life. The close relatives have a significant role in the care of their critically ill family member, when the patient is cared for at home. The nurse has a responsibility to make the families involved and to meet their needs of physical and psychological support.

Aim:

To describe relative's experiences of palliative home care.

Method:

A literature review based on eight qualitative scientific articles was performed.

Results:

Three main themes were found to describe the relatives' experiences of palliative home care. First, A source of strength with subthemes security and gratitude. The second theme was To be responsible, with subthemes insecurity and vulnerability and at last A life adjustment with the subthemes limitation and powerlessness. Conclusion: Being a close relative of a seriously ill family member with incurable disease in need of palliative home care is a major life adjustment. In order to maintain wellness and prevent unnecessary suffering nurses should use their expertise to meet the needs of the relatives in palliative home care.