Culture, Traditions and Being Remembered
There are as many end of life rituals as their are cultures. Each intended to ease through the dying process and to help those left behind to move on, while celebrating a life lived, and honouring memories.
For some memories are triggered by a treasured momento: a piece of jewellery, a hand-knitted blanket. For many, it’s photographs, special occasion cards, scrapbooks. For some, it’s a project worked on together for a shared experience to remember: creating a puzzle together or – using available technology – iphone video conversation. Virtual experiences offer more options: a Facebook memorial page, a shared photo library.
Substitute Decision-Makers Suffer Post-Traumatic-Stress
Surrogates suffer in their role as patients' decision-makers "A Systematic review: the effect on surrogates of making treatment decisions for others"– published in the Annals of Internal Medicine – was the topic of discussion on Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative...
Pain as a Cause of Agitated Delirium
"Can't you do something about her pain?" An 85-year-old woman with multiple medical problems, including dementia, coronary artery disease, renal insufficiency, and peripheral vascular disease, was admitted to our hospital with urosepsis. Her hospital course was...
Quality of Life Better with Less Care at the End
The study focused on patients dying of cancer, but results apply across all chronic illnesses: a multicenter study suggests patients have a better quality of life towards the end if aggressive, life-prolonging measures are avoided and if they are able to die at home....
Comfort Care
Provide and adjust pain medication: addiction is not a worry Treat shortness of breath : oxygen, medication Treat agitation: medications or other treatment (massage, acupuncture) Treat anxiety: medications or other treatment (massage, acupuncture, music) Position for...
