Late-stage dementia is a tough journey for everyone involved. Families often struggle to find hope during this time. Care teams in nursing homes have a big job. They need to talk about tough topics with families. These talks happen during care plan meetings. The goal is to keep hope alive, even when things are really hard. Care teams have to walk a fine line. They n...
The latest issue of a journal has taken a deep dive into the lives of students and teachers. It covers all levels of education, from primary to tertiary. This isn't just about academics, though. It also sheds light on mental health and cancer, two big issues that affect everyone, including students and teachers. For the first time, it also includes studies on palliat...
Spiritual well-being is a big deal in palliative care. It is a vital part of helping people at the end of life. Yet, there has not been a reliable way to measure spiritual needs. The PC-6 model is a new tool to assess and measure spiritual concerns in patients receiving palliative care. It focuses on six key themes. This model could be a game-changer. Palliative car...
In the United States, a significant number of people, roughly 32 million, reside in rural counties. These individuals face a major hurdle: limited access to comprehensive cancer care. This lack of access leads to several issues. Patients in these areas often report more negative social and economic factors. They also face severe financial strain, heavier symptom load...
In remote regions, providing end-of-life care for cancer patients at home can be quite tough. This is especially true in countries like Norway, where 16% of the population lives in rural areas. These areas often face significant hurdles due to their distance from medical facilities and the scarcity of healthcare resources. Family members often take on the role of pr...
In South Africa, patients with advanced illnesses often find themselves in primary palliative care. This care aims to be holistic and patient-centered. It should also be compassionate and respect the patient's experiences. However, there is a big gap in understanding what dignity means to these patients. Dignity is not just about physical comfort. It is about respect...
Pediatric doctors who specialize in blood cell transplants have mixed views on palliative care, or PC. This type of care focuses on easing symptoms and improving quality of life. It is well-known that PC helps patients who undergo hematopoietic cell transplants, or HCT. However, it is not widely used in pediatric HCT. A recent study tried to understand why this is t...
Anger is a normal response to stress. This is especially true for family caregivers of palliative care patients. These caregivers often face significant burdens. They must balance the demands of caregiving with their own needs. This can lead to high levels of anger and unique ways of expressing it. The burden of caregiving can be immense. It includes physical, ...
Hospice care is widely known as one of the most challenging jobs. It involves a lot of stress and constant exposure to patients with life-limiting conditions. This makes the mental health of hospice workers a big concern. One way to support these workers is by looking at how compassion and self-compassion affect their well-being. A recent study focused on hospice wo...
Guidelines are like roadmaps for healthcare workers. They are supposed to make sure that everyone gets the best possible care. But there is a problem. These guidelines are not always used as they should be. This is especially true in palliative care. Palliative care is all about making life better for people with serious illnesses. It is not just about treating the d...