Background: Addressing the existential needs of older persons residing in nursing homes poses ethical challenges. These needs often revolve around reflections on the future, approaching death, and the dying process. Multiple professionals contribute to the care of older persons, each engaging with older persons in diverse care settings. The responsibility for providing existential support is shared across all involved professions, rather than being confined to a single role, highlighting the collaborative nature of holistic care.

Aim/Research question or hypothesis: To describe healthcare professionals' perspectives on addressing older people's views on future life, death and dying.

Methods: Data were collected in semi-structured individual interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis. A total of 12 informants, assistant nurses (n=5), physicians (n=3) and registered nurses (n=4), from five nursing homes and one physician organisation which offered physician services to nursing homes in Sweden were included via purposive sampling.

Results: The preliminary findings are presented in three themes, indicating passive approaches, involving accompanying the older persons on their life journey, or active, as witnessing and reflecting their views, support them find meaning and purpose in life. Both approaches are based on mutual relationship. The themes are, accompanying the older persons life's journey, harmonizing professional and personal skills to create a mutual relationship, serving as a witness of thoughts and reflections.

Discussion: This study highlights how healthcare professionals in nursing homes address the existential needs of older persons, regarding their views on future life, death, and dying. The findings reveal that, regardless of professional role, all play a crucial part in providing support by being actively listening and engaging in thoughtful, sensitive conversations. This requires a blend of professional skills and the ability to develop meaningful interpersonal relationships.