Thinking about the subject of death, dying and end of life in general are topics many people are uncomfortable with, but for those with terminal or progresive illnesses or those reaching the end of their lives, it’s something worth considering. In light of this, you may have heard of palliative care and end of life care, but what does end of life care mean and what does it involve? We take a closer look.
End of life care definition
A definition of end of life care could be construed as care that is provided to an individual, whether in their own homes, a hospice or a hospital in the final hours, days, weeks or even years of their life. Research studies in the UK have shown that an ever growing number of people prefer to pass on in the comfort of their own homes, meaning there is a rising demand for end of life care at home. And while it’s not something pleasant to think about, ensuring that your loved one is cared for all the way until the end is crucial in offering them the comfort, dignity and respect that they deserve.
Principles of end of life care
End of life care is often confused with palliative care, and while they share some similarities they are not the same. Palliative care, for example, is care that is provided to a person during an illness or stages of ageing where support is required. Palliative care, although a part of end of life care, does not necessarily mean that the patient receiving this type of care is at the end of their lives. End of life care in the UK, on the other hand, is care that is provided to a person at the final stages of their life to offer them as much comfort and peace as possible. There are four main principles of end of life care. These are:
Physical comfort: as one grows older and faces debilitations and limitations owing to age or illness, physical comfort can sometimes be evasive. This leads to physical discomfort due to issues such as improper blood circulation, poor vision, loss of hearing, struggling to breathe, darker urine due to kidney malfunctioning, increased difficulties in controlling pain, involuntary movements, drowsiness, confusion, less time spent socialising with friends and family, decreased need for food and fluids, skin getting colder to the touch, loss of bladder or bowel control and many others. This is why the aid of an end of life care worker is crucial to help with such physical discomfort and give the person the best care possible.
Mental and emotional needs: a person who is in the final stages of their life also has certain mental and emotional needs. These may include aspects such as the ability to be able to say a proper goodbye to their loved ones before the dark hour approaches, getting documents and affairs in order and more. Once again, an end of life care worker is the ideal companion in this scenario because their time is fully dedicated to the person in need of care, helping them to address all pressing challenges that may arise.
Spiritual issues: people are generally spiritual beings and doing things that are good for the soul is important for one’s well-being. Spiritual activities may include praying, lighting candles, writing to loved ones, visiting a church or another place of worship, speaking to priests and other holy people and more.
Practical tasks: and finally, of course, there are practical tasks to be taken care of. These range from helping the person shower or bathe, helping them with toileting and dressing, ensuring that they eat enough at the right times, making sure that they take their medication on time, looking after the neatness of their home, taking care of pets, paying bills, purchasing groceries, etc.
When does end of life care begin?
Because it’s often very difficult to predict when one’s end of life is approaching, there is no one answer to when does end of life care begin. Some argue that it begins around 12 months prior to an estimation of when one’s life will end. However, end of life care can be provided even in one’s last few hours on this earth.
This is the case of someone who’s been in a serious accident and is not expected to live. In each case, the circumstances will be different, although there are some common signs of when a person’s end of life is approaching. This is especially the case for those with a terminal illness.
Why end of life care is the option?
Given that so many people prefer to receive elderly home care towards the end of their lives in the comfort and security of their own home, it’s essential to determine your loved one’s needs and desires to offer them as much comfort, respect and dignity in the last days of their life. It is not an easy situation to be in for anyone involved, but knowing that you gave your loved one the best you could should provide some peace of mind.
