Supportive Care

 

What is Supportive Care?

Supportive Care aims to help  patients and their families/carers to cope with their condition and live as well as possible with the possible effects of the disease and treatment.

Supportive Care includes

• Self help and support
• Psycholgical Support
• Rehabilitation
• Complementary Therapies
• Spiritual Support
• Information Giving

 

Palliative Care

 

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care provides holistic assessment and care of patients and their families/carers  with a life limiting illness. It encompasses the management of the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families/carers.

Palliative Care includes

• Enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families/carers with a life threatening illness
• The assessment and management of physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs
• Providing a support system to help patients live as actively as possible
• Advanced Care Planning
• Clear, good lines of communication
• The co-ordination of care

 

End of Life Care

 

What is End of Life Care?

End of life Care is the provision of care and support to people who have a life limiting illness and are likely to die within the next 12 months. It encompasses both elements of supportive care and palliative care

End of life care includes those patients who

• have  advanced incurable disease
• are increasingly frail and have co-existing conditions which are likely to deteriorate further over the next 12 months.
• have an existing condition, which has the high risk of causing a sudden crisis leading to death.
• have a sudden event leading to a life threatening conditions e.g accident, stoke

 When does End of Life Care Begin?

• This differs in each individual, but may begin 12 months prior to death or in the next few days or hours before death
• Patients or carers may identify this phase themselves or a health/social care professional involved in the patient's care

 What does End of life care involve?

• Regular comprehensive assessment of patinets and carers needs
• Advanced care planning to identify patinets wishes regarding their future managment and the location to receive that care
• Co-ordinated care betwwen providers involved with a patient
• Management of a patients deteriorating health and anticipating potential needs

 For further advice and support

• Contact your GP
• Contact your Hospital Consultant
• District Nurse
• Specialist Nurse
• End of Life Care Facilitator`

 Further Information

• http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/end-of-life-care/Pages/End-of-life-care.aspx
• http://www.endoflifecareforadults.nhs.uk/