Palliative Care, Care for Life: A Study of the Specificity of Residential Palliative Care

Abstract

In this study, the authors describe the concept of palliative care as applied in a palliative care unit. They conducted in-depth interviews with 8 patients, 9 relatives, and 24 caregivers from two residential palliative care units. Observation of the care and of team meetings and analysis of patient records provided additional data. Palliative care involves a specific concept of care, the central focus of which is life. This is realized by two strategies. The first is to create space to live by diverting attention from the sick body, moving the illness into the background. The second is to fill the space as meaningfully as possible, so that patients can enjoy life even in the face of death. The quality of the caregiving process in palliative care is determined by a range of conditions and processes that reflect its complexity.

‘I am closer to this place’—Space, place and notions of home in lived experiences of hospice day care

“…Hospice day care has been described as a safe "retreat" or "haven" (Lawton, 2000), a "home" setting (Gates, 1991) or a "space to live" (Cannaerts, et al, 2004) whilst hospice in-patient wards have been described as a "no-place" (Lawton 2000). Brown (2003) considers hospice at home, but not home at hospice.…”

The influence of spirituality in pediatric cancer management: a systematic review

“…Pediatric palliative care, such as spirituality, does not attempt to postpone or hasten death; rather it focuses on the psychological and spiritual aspects of care, offers a support [20,2] to relieve the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual distress produced by these life-limiting conditions, to assist in complex decision making, and to enhance quality of life. [21,22,14] Childhood cancer is a challenging disease.…”

Interdisciplinary palliative care, including massage, in treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

“…Continuity of care can also save time and energy for the patient and the family, decreasing stress levels as the treatment team works together. The family is busy taking care of the patient; this time increases, as the patient gets sicker (Cannaets et al, 2004). The family should not be expected to relay important health information from healthcare provider to healthcare provider.…”