Application of Care at the End of Life

Application of Care at the End of Life
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Application of Care at the End of Life
A: Impact of Chronic Illness
Chronic illnesses have physical effects on patients, such as reduced functional capacity, which vary from one chronic illness to another. Patients may also experience depression and social isolation because of the fear and frustration of living with a lasting condition (Potter et al., 2021). Families also experience distress, chronic sorrow, and tension amongst themselves (Potter et al., 2021). They also experience negative economic and social effects. Caregivers of chronically ill patients are usually emotionally, psychologically, and psychosocially drained (Potter et al., 2021). They experience a high caregiver burden and poor health outcomes since they focus on caregiving and neglect their own health needs. Chronic illnesses place a huge economic burden on healthcare organizations in terms of the high costs of providing care. They also pose a challenge to healthcare providers who take on the burden of providing care to patients with lasting healthcare issues (Braillard et al., 2018). It also places a heavy burden on community connections as more and more people are developing chronic illnesses and require increased support.
B: Hospice Care and Palliative Care
Hospice care is offered to patients in the terminal phase of an illness, while palliative care is offered to patients during the diagnosis and treatment of a life-threatening illness (Potter et al., 2021). Unlike palliative care, hospice care is offered when treatment has ended because nothing else can be done to treat the condition. Hospice care is ongoing while palliative is intermittent, depending on the severity of symptoms. Also, according to Potter et al. (2021), hospice care is only delivered in settings where the patient is most comfortable, while palliative care can be delivered in any setting. However, both hospice and palliative care are family-centered care approaches that improve comfort for the patient. They also both provide access to multidisciplinary teams of care.
C: Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Team Support
The key members of an interdisciplinary palliative care team include doctors, nurses, allied health professionals (AHP), and volunteers (Fernando & Hughes, 2019). Doctors include general practitioners, palliative physicians, and other disease-specific specialists. They provide support by diagnosing, treating, and providing information about an illness. Nurses manage the patient’s care and treatment and assess the needs of patients and their families (Fernando & Hughes, 2019). AHP includes social workers, therapists, and dieticians, among others. They provide support with day-to-day living as well as rehabilitation services and emotional support. Volunteers provide emotional support to improve the psychological well-being of patients and their families (Fernando & Hughes, 2019). They also help take care of the patient and can provide respite care. Others, such as chaplains and priests, provide spiritual guidance and support to patients and their families (Fernando & Hughes, 2019).
D: Communication Techn...