There are many ways to improve care at the end of life. It includes providing information, training, and resources to help caregivers care for the dying person. It is also important to provide emotional support to the family to ensure they are not alone in this situation.
There are many ways to make end-of-life care more manageable for the dying person and their loved ones. There are also ways to help the primary care provider support and guide the family through this difficult time. The following interventions can make the process more straightforward.
Enhance the quality of life for the person who is dying
There are many ways to enhance the quality of life for a dying person. It may include providing them with comfort, pain management, nourishment, and hydration. You can improve the quality of life by delivering caregiving services at home or opting for hospice care facilities. Consult with the patient and consider their desires before deciding.
Seek financial aid
Some terminal/chronic conditions are expensive to treat and manage. However, you can seek financial aid by approaching organizations that help patients with specific diseases like pulmonary fibrosis or AIDS. Or, if the patient’s illness was caused by someone else’s negligent behavior, such as an employer knowingly exposing their employees to asbestos, you can seek legal compensation. In this case, you will have to approach a mesothelioma attorney to file a claim and secure funds. Financial aid can help purchase expensive treatment, equipment, and medication to make end-of-life- care more manageable.
Support the family caregivers
Family caregivers are often the ones who provide the most care to the terminally ill person. It is essential to support them to continue to provide care for their loved ones. This may include providing information, training, and resources to help them care for the sick.
Address spiritual, social, and emotional needs
It is vital to provide support for the spiritual, social, and emotional needs of the dying person and their family. This may include providing access to religious or spiritual leaders, connecting them with support groups for family caregivers, and helping the family cope with the situation’s emotional stress.
Coordinate care between the primary care provider and the palliative care team
Coordination between the primary care provider and the palliative care team ensures everyone is on the same page regarding the patient’s care. You can facilitate coordination by holding team meetings and consultations. Also, it is essential to maintain proper written documentation about the care plan.
Plan for discontinuing life-sustaining treatments
It is vital to have a plan in place for when to stop life-sustaining treatments, such as mechanical ventilation. Discuss these decisions with the patient if they can communicate. Also, weigh the expenses associated with continuing such treatments against the possible outcomes and benefits.
Emphasize planning for the inevitable
It is crucial to emphasize planning for the inevitable. This includes discussing the patient’s wishes with the family to stop life-sustaining treatments. This may also include writing a living will and appointing a health care proxy to make decisions for the dying person.
Educate and support caregivers on decision-making about resuscitation and non-resuscitation
Caregivers need to know about the decisions that need to be made about resuscitation and non-resuscitation. It includes understanding when to initiate and stop resuscitation efforts. Also, when to use medical interventions such as antibiotics or nasogastric tube feeding, and when to allow death to occur.
Promote advance care planning
Advance care planning is essential for the dying person and their family. It includes having discussions with the family about their wishes for care at the end of life, writing a living will, and appointing a healthcare proxy. Advance care planning ensures the patient’s wishes are fulfilled during this difficult time.
Use palliative care interventions
Palliative care is appropriate at all stages of life. Many palliative care interventions can provide relief for the dying person and their family. These interventions include pain management, comfort measures, and emotional support.
Advocate for the person who is dying
It is essential to advocate for the dying person and their family. You can do this by providing information about end-of-life care, helping them access resources, and supporting them with the healthcare providers.
Conclusion
End-of-life care is an integral part of the care that we provide to our patients. This includes providing information, training, and resources to help families care for the dying person. It is also important to provide emotional support to the family and let them know they are not alone in this situation. It is essential to provide support for the spiritual, social, and emotional needs of the dying person and their family. Mentioned above are ways through which we can improve end-of-life care. There are many other ways to make this time more manageable for everyone involved. It is crucial to ensure everyone involved in the caregiving process has access to good training, education, and emotional support.
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