In the modern world, the recent advances in modern medicine and the increasing life expectancy is causing a huge effect on developing countries (Thomas, Lobo, & Detering, 2017) . Sources suggest that these changes have brought about chronic diseases playing a huge impact on global health research. Today, because of the recent advances in medicine, the dying process can be increased remarkably (Sallnow, Richardson, Murray, & Kellehear, 2016) . For this reason, family members, patients, and friends may make crucial decisions about end of life care (Chan, Webster, & Bowers, 2016) . Nevertheless, however difficult it may seem to talk about one’s death, expressing values, desires, and thoughts regarding a “good death” can be of efficacy in making a person’s loved ones understand the end of life care that one may desire (Thomas et al., 2017). Some of the measures that can be taken include discussing on how to prolong life through the use of life support machines or undergoing extensive medical treatments towards the end phase of life. With all said above, these writings will go in-depth to discuss the end of life care.
About end of life care is that acceptance and understanding of the family, friends, and the patients that death is inevitable (Thomas et al., 2017). With that, end of life care focuses on improving the quality of a patient and not prolonging dying. Palliative care plays an important role in medical care at the end of life. In other words, this care provides comfort to a person who is dying where its goal is to assist in preventing much suffering as well as giving much respect to the dying person (Chan et al., 2016). Some of the comforts cares near the end of life care that is addressed include emotional, mental, physical comfort, and spiritual support regarding the daily tasks that are carried out. In some cases, a dying person may experience anxiety, depression, or feel like a burden to others (Sallnow et al., 2016). For this reason, medications, reassurances, and talking about feelings can bring relief (Chan et al., 2016).
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Further, healthcare teams can also offer guidance on how medical comfort can be provided in homes. In other words, comfort could be used to mean avoiding bothersome procedures such as regular injections repeated tests, or prescribed drugs (Chan et al., 2016). Ideally, healthcare providers understand and recognize the importance of palliative and end of life care as a good form of treatment for seriously ill patients. Sources suggest that palliative care services in the low and middle-income countries most have not been integrated into the national health system (Sallnow et al., 2016). For this reason, it serves as a limiting factor for the availability of the end of life care in countries that need it the most. About scaling up the palliative care services, researchers propose the use of a population model to develop these comfort programs (Sallnow et al., 2016). Ideally, these programs aim at achieving patient-centered outcomes such as improving the quality of life, emotional, and spiritual support whereas on the other hand reducing the weight shouldered by the caregivers and those that support these families when they are bereaved (Thomas et al., 2017).
Lastly, taking a case scenario of England, it is estimated that a 48% population die while in hospitals, 23% at home, and 21% in a care home (Thomas et al., 2017). According to a recent analysis, it shows that the trends of decreasing hospital deaths and a rise in deaths in homes and care are an implication that these deaths are likely to double by 2040 (Chan et al., 2016). Considerably, most people prefer home-based care towards the end of life. With that multiple transitions within hospitals can be distressing to the family and the patient (Sallnow et al., 2016). It may also be costly. In conclusion, it is recommendable we adapt a new era of family and patient needs and find sustainable ways of provision of quality care towards the end of life that meets their needs, as well as their preferences.
References
Chan, R. J., Webster, J., & Bowers, A. (2016). End ‐ of ‐ life care pathways for improving outcomes in caring for the dying. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , (2).
Sallnow, L., Richardson, H., Murray, S. A., & Kellehear, A. (2016). The impact of a new public health approach to end-of-life care: a systematic review. Palliative medicine , 30 (3), 200-211.
Thomas, K., Lobo, B., & Detering, K. (Eds.). (2017). Advance care planning in end of life care . Oxford University Press.
