{"id":4386,"date":"2021-05-10T15:56:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T12:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grpalliative.gr\/?p=4386"},"modified":"2021-05-10T15:56:55","modified_gmt":"2021-05-10T12:56:55","slug":"a-guide-to-palliative-and-end-of-life-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grpalliative.gr\/el\/a-guide-to-palliative-and-end-of-life-care\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to palliative and end of life care"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cAnyone can stop a man\u2019s life; but no one his death; a thousand doors open on to it\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

These words were written by Roman writer and statesman Seneca the Younger over two millennia ago. They are as true today as they were then.<\/p>\n

The fact that Seneca\u2019s own tragic and untimely passing has inspired numerous works of art over the centuries only adds to the poignancy of his sentiments.<\/p>\n

A healthy adult rarely considers his or her death, in part because we have difficulty imagining death and in part because broaching the subject \u2013 especially during periods of solitary reflection \u2013 can be a depressing experience. Worse still is the feeling of dread that comes from contemplating the death of a loved one.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, as William Shakespeare opined in \u2018Henry IV, Part 2\u2019 \u201cwe owe God a death\u201d.<\/p>\n

Every day, in every part of our world, people are being diagnosed with terminal illnesses or injuries, while families are being told that there\u2019s nothing more that can be done to cure the people they love.<\/p>\n

It is reassuring, then, to know that there are people out there who do not flinch from thinking about \u2013 or dealing directly with \u2013 the process of death.<\/p>\n

These are professionals who are motivated by compassion and kindness; dedicated people who specialise in providing any all types of care<\/a> required by those patients living out their final days.<\/p>\n

These people are known as palliative carers and the incredible service provided by them is called palliative care.<\/p>\n

The following is a guide to the services offered by palliative and end-of-life carers and facilities such as our own. We hope you find it both useful and informative.<\/p>\n

At Burwood Care Home<\/a> we take pride in our palliative and end of life care, and the process and the outcomes of caring for someone in their last hours and days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1. What is Palliative Care?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In simplest terms, palliative care is the treatment and support of those with life-limiting illnesses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As the name implies, a life-limiting illness is an illness or condition that cannot be cured and that will most likely either cause \u2013 or significantly contribute to \u2013 a person\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

Other terminology used (often interchangeably) with the term \u2018life limiting\u2019 includes the terms \u2018life threatening\u2019 (meaning that the patient\u2019s life is severely endangered by their condition) and \u2018terminal\u2019 (meaning that there is no cure for the condition and that it will likely cause or contribute to the patient\u2019s death).<\/p>\n

Other terms you may have encountered include \u2018progressive\u2019 or \u2018degenerative\u2019 (both meaning that the condition is expected to worsen over time) as well as \u2018advanced\u2019 (this means that the illness is in a late stage of severity and that the patient likely does not have long left to live).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Palliative care can take many forms, which are often specific to the requirements of the patient.<\/p>\n

A palliative carer\u2019s duties may include helping the patient manage pain, offering spiritual, emotional or psychological support and providing social care (which includes assistance with day-to-day tasks that may have become difficult for the patient).<\/p>\n

It also includes improving the patient\u2019s levels of nutrition, health and mobility, as well as working alongside\/supporting the patient\u2019s family and friends.<\/p>\n

Palliative care may be administered at any time during a person\u2019s illness and does not necessarily require them to be nearing the end of their life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2. What Areas can Palliative Care Make a Difference?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Palliative care can help the patient in almost too many ways to mention<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to physical aid, pain management and generally improving quality of life, palliative carers can also provide the timely and safe administration of medication and\/or treatment, as well as general support with day-to-day activities.<\/p>\n

Additionally, palliative carers can also help with organization. If, for example, the patient wishes to host a family get-together, vacation or day trip, a carer can be on-hand to help make it happen. Palliative carers can also help to relieve some of the fatigue and tensions experienced by home caregivers.<\/p>\n

Palliative care frequently includes mental health support. Mental health support may involve stress reduction exercises, activities proven to reduce anxiety or insomnia, setting the patient up with counselling or group therapy sessions or occasionally all of the above.<\/p>\n

Activities aimed at improving a patient\u2019s mental state could be things like creating art, undertaking light exercise, meditation sessions or psychotherapy.<\/p>\n

Palliative carers can also offer their patients a measure of spiritual support, which is not limited to any one specific faith or denomination. People who do not subscribe to any particular religion or belief system may still seek spiritual counselling, which is readily provided by hospital chaplains.<\/p>\n

Even financial help is available with palliative care. Social workers can help patients gain access to any funding to which they may be entitled, as well as financial advice, assistance with travel costs and other related services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3. What are the Six Principles of Palliative Care?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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There are 6 guiding principles<\/a> that permeate all aspects of palliative care, regardless of the area in which the patient is receiving said care.<\/p>\n

Palliative care will always:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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