Hospices Flashcards
What is palliative (end of life) care?
Medical care that relieves pain, symptoms and stress caused by serious illness, improving patients’ quality of life
What do hospices do
Medical facilities that looks after patients who are terminally ill
Some also offer respite care for families with a very ill or disabled child or seriously sick relatives
Who funds hospices
They are charities funded by donations from general public
Not supported by taxes
Give two examples of hospices
Acorns
St Richards
4 purposes of hospices
- Quality of life: successfully treating pain and other side effects that make life unbearable
- Trying to give the patient dignity: allowing them to make their own choices and being in control as much as possible
- Supporting loved ones: emotional help to come to terms with the end of their loved one’s lives
- Help and advice: coping with very sick and/or terminally ill person
What types of care do hospices give
Spiritual care
Religious care
Medical care
Nursing care
Emotional and psychological care
Respite care
Bereavement care
How do hospices give dignity to patients
Respect patients choices (treatment options, pain management, location for final days etc)
Provide privacy and personal space (private rooms and quiet spaces)
Maintain personal hygiene and appearance (self esteem)
Flexible visiting times
Bring pets to visits
Be in nature or see it through windows
Not treated as just fragile
Voice heard, on their terms
Where possible they are treated as living not dying
How are families supported by hospices
Places to stay
Quiet spaces
Respite care
Flexible visiting times
Able to visit even after loved ones have passed so they can remember them
Who was the founder of the hospice movement
Dame Cicely Saunders
What did the founder of hospices say about euthanasia
“I am against euthanasia for a positive reason, I have seen people achieve so much in the ending of their lives-times that their families would have missed if they had had euthanasia. It’s often time after they might have asked to opt out when they perhaps would have gone in bitterness, whereas they finally go in peace and fulfilment”
Hospice is about quality…
Not quantity
Doesn’t hasten or postpone death, allows terminal illness to run their natural cause
While giving patients hope for comfort, dignity and living all the days of their lives
Can be cared for at home
