METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A systematic search will be conducted across nine electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data. The search will identify literature published in English and Chinese from January 2012 onwards. Articles will be selected based on their relevance to older adults aged ≥60 with disabilities or life-threatening chronic conditions receiving end-of-life care in nursing homes or similar settings. The data extraction process will be guided by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association model (CHPCA) and the Respectful Death model. Qualitative data analysis will be performed using a framework method and thematic analysis, employing both inductive and deductive approaches, with three reviewers participating in the review process.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required because the data for this review is obtained from selected publicly available articles. The results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences. Furthermore, the findings will be shared with policymakers and healthcare professionals engaged in end-of-life care to inform practice and decision making.
STUDY REGISTRATION: The review protocol has been registered on osf.io (https://osf.io/3u4mp).