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Chapter 21 - Palliative Care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2019

By
Kirsten Moore ,
Nathan Davies ,
Nuriye Kupeli  and
Elizabeth L. Sampson
Edited by
Rob Butler  and
Cornelius Katona
Rob Butler
Affiliation:
Waitemata DHB and North Shore Hospital, Auckland
Cornelius Katona
Affiliation:
Helen Bamber Foundation
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Summary

Palliative care and the hospice movement were founded as a response to people dying from cancer [1]. However, there is now wide recognition that palliative care should be provided and made available for people with a range of progressive advanced chronic diseases including dementia, frailty and organ failure. This is particularly pertinent as the population ages and a growing number of people are dying with these conditions. This chapter defines palliative care and the role of the psychiatrist, and examines some current issues in palliative care including having difficult conversations, dealing with uncertainty, symptom control and supporting grieving family and friends both before and after death, with a focus on the needs of those with dementia.

Type
Chapter
Information
Seminars in Old Age Psychiatry , pp. 239 - 248
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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