Life- Limiting/ Threatening Conditions

Question 1

Chronic Condtion

Answer 1

“An illness that can last for an extended period, at least 3 months, often for life, and cannot be cured.

The management of a chronic disorder depends on pain control and reduction of attacks/ episodes.

Treatment is therefore aimed at the reduction of potentially negative effects of the condition as far as possible to enable the child to adopt a normal lifestyle”
(Midence)

eg. eczma, hayfever, diabetes, epilepsy, heart condition

Question 2

Life- Threatening Condition

Answer 2

“Those for which curative treatment may be feasible but can fail” (Better Care, Better Lives)

Question 3

Long-term Ventilated

Answer 3

“Children who use medical technology that compensates for the partial failure of a vital body function and who require technically skilled carer” (Heaton et al)

Question 4

Current Government Drives

Answer 4

Are:
* Cost effective
* Family centered and child focused
* The union of services
* Increasing choice 
* Involving community sercives
Examples: Health and Social Care Act, 2002. Healthy Lives, Healthy People (2010). Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS

Question 5

Impact

Answer 5

Has not only and impact on the child with the condition but also the parents and siblings

• Increased risk of psychological morbidity
• Exclusion from work
• Social isolation
• Loss of privacy at home
• Sleep deprivation
• Financial impact
• Emotional impact
• Disruption of attachment
• Increased risk of mental illness
• Reduced Opportunites

Question 6

Adjustment and Coping

Answer 6

Individuals and families ability to manage external and internal demands creates a lot of distress.

In order to help the family ease this distress services need to consider:

• Pre- existing family risk
• Resilience
• Social support
• Available resources
• Past experiences