Nurses’, Patients’, and Family Carers’ Views of Energy Hardship and Palliative Home Care in Ireland: A Mixed-Methods Examination

Objectives: The authors aim to investigate energy hardship and palliative care at home. The objectives were to explore the views of home care nurses, patients, and family carers on the possible extent of energy hardship and to make informed recommendations, which could help alleviate energy hardship for people receiving palliative care at home. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional mixed-methods design, including an online survey with palliative home care nurses and semistructured individual or group interviews with patients receiving palliative home care or their family carers. Results: The results show that energy hardship is an issue witnessed by night nurses and palliative home care nurses in their line of work. Patients and family carers in the study confirmed that keeping their homes warm was a major issue for many of them, and the rising costs of energy, and other living costs, have posed challenges and caused significant stress to some participants. Conclusions: Energy hardship worsens health issues for patients and carers, aligning with previous research on its detrimental effects. Addressing energy hardship requires a multisectoral approach, including better coordination between governments, health care providers, and community organizations to ensure vulnerable people have access to support services. Further research is needed to better understand the causal relationships between energy hardship and health. Implications for Nursing Practice: Raising awareness of energy hardship among health care staff is crucial, focusing on at-risk populations and available interventions. Educational training for staff is key to help staff identify and address energy hardship, framing support as a health right. A standardized information pack and self-assessment tool are needed, and nurses should encourage patients to apply for support that may be available, such as registering as medically vulnerable with energy suppliers.