First-line nurse managers' perceptions of the challenges involved in decision-making when older patients' wish to die.

One main theme and two themes were identified: Struggling to make the right decision, The challenge of social isolation and loneliness and When life becomes too painful and problematic. The sub-themes revealed that: Arranging social meeting places where the older patients can talk to other older people is crucial. The participants explained that it was not an easy task to gain an overview of the older patients situation. The right decision could be encouraging the patients to talk about their problems by giving them more time, thereby showing that somebody cares about them.