This study holistically explores the experience of dying and end-of-life care for older persons with dementia in long-term care (LTC) from the perspective of care providers. Using a focused ethnography methodology, seven researchers interviewed LTC staff, residents’ families, volunteers, management staff, and spiritual advisers/clergy over a five-day period. Research was guided by two key questions: What is the dying experience of people living in LTC from the perspective of different care providers? and, What are the salient issues in providing palliative care for elderly people dying in LTC? Based on a thematic analysis of verbatim data, three common themes were identified: tension between completing job tasks on time and “being there” for residents; the importance of familylike bonds between front-line staff and residents; and the importance of communication among staff and between staff and residents and their families at the end of life. Findings are discussed in relation to their implications for policies and practices that can support whole-person care and ultimately a good death for residents of LTC facilities.

The technology underlying night vision goggles (NVGs) enhances human ability to operate in dark and low-light conditions. However, NVG-aided vision is limited relative to daylight human vision and may entail risks. This review focuses on NVGs with image intensifier technology and explores the impact of their use on human performance. The review covers technology and device characteristics (image quality and field of view), physical configuration (ocular configuration, NVG weight, and forward center of gravity), and contextual and environmental factors (mission and task aspects, lighting, weather, and terrain). The key human factors in NVG use are visual and cognitive performance (visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, stereopsis and depth perception, distance and size estimation, spatial orientation, and situation awareness), and physical and physiological aspects (neck strain and injuries, and headaches). Understanding technology and contextual factors and their influence on human factors is critical to improving performance and safety with NVGs. Technology and device improvements, along with appropriate mission planning and training, play a critical role in aided night vision performance. INTroDuCTIoN Vision is the most dominant perceptual sense and requires adequate lighting to be effective. Yet there is often a need to operate in inadequate lighting circumstances. Many military missions and tasks are performed in poor light conditions and in the dark because it affords better concealment and surprise. In addition, numerous civilian operations and occupations take place in poor lighting conditions: search and rescue, law enforcement (police, border control, surveillance, etc.), hunting, wildlife observation, and many more. In most of those circumstances, people aim to perform in poor light conditions as well as they would in the daytime. However, although humans have developed exceptional day vision, they nevertheless have poor night vision. There is a real need, therefore, for technologies to enhance vision in low-light circumstances.