scholarly journals Identifying Palliative Care Needs in Assisted Living

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 788-788
Author(s):  
Daniel David ◽  
Abraham Brody ◽  
Tina Sadarangani ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Tara Cortez

Abstract Many residents of Assisted Living (AL) confront serious illness and therefore might benefit from greater access to Palliative Care Services to improve quality of life. We surveyed resident records and AL nursing staff to identify patients in need of Palliative Care. Preliminary findings showed that nurses predicted 23% would not be alive and 49% would no longer live in AL. A majority of residents were over the age of 90, yet 30% did not have a reported code status. These findings suggest that a substantial portion of AL residents may have unmet needs with respect to palliative care. Future interventions are needed to support advance care planning conversations and make palliative care more accessible to this population.

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Britni Lookabaugh ◽  
Charles von Gunten

In caring for patients with chronic complex and life-limiting illness, models of palliative care delivery have developed across the care continuum. While many palliative care services are provided by hospital-based consult teams, palliative care is also delivered in the home, including independent living, assisted living, and group homes; in skilled nursing facilities; and in the outpatient office setting. While high variability exists for delivery of palliative care across the globe, there have been many studies reflecting the value of palliative care across these settings, for quality of end-of-life care as well as for the financial implications in the complex medical care for patients with palliative care needs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3.5) ◽  
pp. HSR19-080
Author(s):  
Loyda Amor N. Cajucom ◽  
Rita C. Ramos ◽  
Raymund Kernell B. Mañago ◽  
Raya Kathreen T. Fuentes ◽  
Primo G. Garcia ◽  
...  

Background: Around 200,000 pediatric clients are diagnosed with cancer each year globally. Majority (84%) of cancer cases are found in developing countries with 20% average survival rate (Ferlay et al, 2012). Two-thirds of pediatric oncology clients in the Philippines are diagnosed at advanced stages (Lecciones, 2015). Abandonment of treatment is high at 80%. Only about 10%–20% of clients attain long-term survival despite availability of multidisciplinary management. These outcomes reflect the gap in service delivery for pediatric oncology clients (Ferlay et al, 2012). Therefore, to improve accessibility to healthcare, it is necessary to determine the perceived palliative care needs of clients, their caregivers, and healthcare providers. Objective: To identify the availability of palliative care services in the country, identify barriers in service delivery, and determine the palliative care needs of pediatric oncology clients, their caregivers, and healthcare providers. Methods: The descriptive, cross-sectional study design involved a situational analysis by mapping 2 Philippine palliative centers. Focus group discussions (FGD) and interviews with healthcare professionals were conducted to determine the extent of services, geographical coverage, and perceived palliative care needs. The needs assessment tool by WHO (2004) was adopted to identify the palliative care needs of pediatric oncology clients as perceived by caregivers. Results: From a total of 181 primary caregivers, the identified main problems in caring was the economical (95.6%) aspect. Financial support (92%) was the most pressing need. Caregivers would like to learn more about general cancer care (39%) and nutrition counseling (24%). The most common palliative care needs as perceived by caregivers included accessibility to cancer facility (27%), free cancer medications (12.7%), and financial assistance (14.9%). The common barriers in rendering care were financial constraints (66%), behavioral changes (12.7%), and travel limitations (6%). The common themes found during the FGDs and interviews were: (1) inadequate human and structural health resources; (2) need to focus on psychosocial care; (3) addressing economic constraints; and (4) need to increase cancer awareness among caregivers. Conclusion: The findings of the study documented the need for the development of structured programs for pediatric palliative care in the Philippines.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzana Khan ◽  
Nezumuddin Ahmad ◽  
Mostak Anwar

Palliative care is about achieving the highest quality of life (QOL) and promoting comfort and dignity for patients with incurable and life limiting diseases. Palliative care advocacy has been strengthened by pronouncing that ‘the provision of palliative care is a human right'. International covenants have agreed upon this. There are huge unmet needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses in Bangladesh as well as in the world. The majority of countries have neither formal palliative care policies nor integrated palliative care services to meet basic standard guidelines in the provision of palliative care. The nature of the right in the context of international and Bangladesh perspective is discussed here. Journal of BSA, 2008; 21(2): 76-79


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 380.1-380
Author(s):  
Kate Flemming ◽  
Victoria Turner

IntroductionDespite being a terminal neurodegenerative disease the role of palliative care is less recognised for MND than for conditions such as cancer. The palliative care needs of patients and carers must be understood in order to best configure policy and health care services for this population.AimTo explore the palliative care needs of adult patients and their informal carers living with MND or bereaved carers of people with MND through a systematic review of qualitative research.MethodFour electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE CINAHL PsycINFO Social Science Citation Index) using terms for MND ALS palliative care and a qualitative research filter. Included papers were data extracted and assessed for quality. The review was conducted using thematic synthesis.Results410 papers were identified and 39 included representing the experiences of 456 people with MND and 345 informal caregivers.Two sets of analytical themes were identified. The first represents the disease trajectory and specific chronological points within it. The second details three sets of influencing factors (internal external and connecting factors) that impact on people’s experiences of events along the disease trajectory. Analysing the intersections of these themes highlighted which palliative care needs are most required at each stage.ConclusionDespite being a life-limiting condition people with MND and their carers have limited awareness of or involvement with palliative care services. There are clear points in the disease trajectory where palliative care input could enhance patient and carer experience of the disease particularly at times of significant physical change.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 164s-164s
Author(s):  
C. Goh

Background and context: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) global atlas which maps palliative care needs worldwide, just over 50% of the palliative care needs reside in Asia. Development of palliative care services in Asia is patchy, with a few high income countries, such as Singapore and Japan, with palliative care services integrated into the health system. In the vast majority of countries, particularly low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), such services are lacking or only available in a few centers. Aim: To develop palliative care services in countries with no services. Strategy/Tactics: The Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) is a nongovernmental organization which supports the development of palliative care in the Asia Pacific region. Since 2012 , it has developed a comprehensive program to build capacity for palliative care in several countries in the region, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Program/Policy process: Coconceptualized and funded by the Lien Foundation, the APHN sends interdisciplinary teams of volunteer faculty to these countries to run a training of trainers program over a period of three years. Major tertiary institutions were chosen as partners, with the understanding that palliative care services would be set up once a team had been trained. An interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers and pharmacists from each institution went through the training program together. Individuals with potential to become champions for palliative care in these countries were given further training through a clinical fellowship program at established institutions in the region. During the training participants would be expected to start palliative care services in their institutions, which will become training centers for palliative care in the future. Concomitantly, a program of advocacy for medications essential for palliative care, such as oral morphine, was also undertaken. Outcomes: Six modules of the training course were completed in each of the three countries. A corps of 20 to 30 master trainers completed the training. In each of those countries, one or more palliative care services were started in major tertiary teaching hospitals. Oral morphine availability was greatly enhanced. The master trainers organized training within their hospitals, and also for the public. Other outcomes include the recognition of palliative care as a specialty, the introduction of palliative care into undergraduate medical and nursing curricula, and development of postgraduate courses in palliative care. What was learned: It was important to target institutions which were willing establish palliative care services. An interdisciplinary group of faculty was able to teach and inspire the trainees to take up the discipline. A drug availability program was essential to provide the tools to work with.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0248738
Author(s):  
Mirgissa Kaba ◽  
Marlieke de Fouw ◽  
Kalkidan Solomon Deribe ◽  
Ephrem Abathun ◽  
Alexander Arnold Willem Peters ◽  
...  

Introduction In Ethiopia there is an extensive unmet need for palliative care, while the burden of non-communicable diseases and cancer is increasing. This study aimed to explore palliative care needs and preferences of patients, their caregivers, and the perspective of stakeholders on service provision in palliative programs for women, mostly affected by cervical cancer and breast cancer. Methods A rapid program evaluation using a qualitative study approach was conducted in three home-based palliative care programs in Addis Ababa and Yirgalem town, Ethiopia. Female patients enrolled in the programs, and their primary caregivers were interviewed on palliative care needs, preferences and service provision. We explored the views of purposely selected stakeholders on the organization of palliative care and its challenges. Audio-taped data was transcribed verbatim and translated into English and an inductive thematic analysis was applied. Descriptive analyses were used to label physical signs and symptoms using palliative outcome scale score. Results A total of 77 interviews (34 patients, 12 primary caregivers, 15 voluntary caregivers, 16 stakeholders) were conducted. The main physical complaints were moderate to severe pain (70.6%), followed by anorexia (50.0%), insomnia, nausea and vomiting (41.2%). Social interaction and daily activities were hampered by the patients’ condition. Both patients and caregivers reported that programs focus most on treatment of symptoms, with limited psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and economic support. Lack of organizational structures and policy directions limit the collaboration between stakeholders and the availability of holistic home-based palliative care services. Conclusions Although female patients and caregivers appreciated the palliative care and support provided, the existing services did not cover all needs. Pain management and all other needed supports were lacking. Multi-sectorial collaboration with active involvement of community-based structures is needed to improve quality of care and access to holistic palliative care services.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257501
Author(s):  
Scott W. Kirkland ◽  
Miriam Garrido Clua ◽  
Maureen Kruhlak ◽  
Cristina Villa-Roel ◽  
Stephanie Couperthwaite ◽  
...  

Introduction This study examined emergency department (ED) presentations of patients with end of life (EOL) conditions and patients having met and unmet palliative care needs were compared. Methods Presentations for EOL conditions were prospectively identified and screened for palliative care needs. Descriptive data were reported as proportions, means or medians. Bi-variable analysis for dichotomous and continuous variables were performed by chi-squared and T-tests (p≤0.01), respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model identified factors associated with having unmet palliative needs and reported adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Overall, 663 presentations for EOL conditions were identified; 518 (78%) involved patients with unmet palliative care needs. Presentations by patients with unmet palliative needs were more likely to involve consultations (80% vs. 67%, p = 0.001) and result in hospitalization (69% vs. 51%, p<0.001) compared to patients whose palliative needs were met. Patients with unmet palliative care needs were more likely to have previous ED visits (73% unmet vs. 48% met; p<0.001). While medication, procedures, investigations and imaging ordering were high across all patients with EOL conditions, there were no significant differences between the groups. Consultations with palliative specialists in the ED (6% unmet vs. 1% met) and following discharge (29% unmet vs. 18% met) were similarly uncommon. Patients having two or more EOL conditions (aOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.16, 5.00), requiring hospitalization (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.30, 2.87), and dying during the ED visit (aOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.53) were strongly associated with having unmet palliative care needs. Conclusions Most ED presentations for EOL conditions were made by patients with unmet palliative care needs, who were significantly more likely to require consultation, hospitalization, and to die. Referrals to palliative care services during and after the ED visit were infrequent, indicating important opportunities to promote these services.


Author(s):  
Abigail Sy Chan ◽  
Amit Rout ◽  
Christopher R. D.’Adamo ◽  
Irina Lev ◽  
Amy Yu ◽  
...  

Background: Timely identification of palliative care needs can reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life. The Supportive & Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) identifies patients with advanced medical conditions who may need special care planning. The Rothman Index (RI) detects patients at high risk of acutely decompensating in the inpatient setting. SPICT and RI among cancer patients were utilized in this study to evaluate their potential roles in palliative care referrals. Methods: Advanced cancer patients admitted to an institution in Baltimore, Maryland in 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, length of hospital stay (LOS), palliative care referrals, RI scores, and SPICT scores were obtained. Patients were divided into SPICT positive or negative and RI > 60 or RI < 60.Unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests were utilized to determine the associations between SPICT and RI and early palliative care needs and mortality. Results: 227 patients were included, with a mean age of 68 years, 63% Black, 59% female, with the majority having lung and GI malignancies. Sixty percent were SPICT +, 21% had RI < 60. SPICT + patients were more likely to have RI < 60 (p = 0.001). SPICT + and RI < 60 patients were more likely to have longer LOS, change in code status, more palliative/hospice referrals, and increased mortality (p <0.05). Conclusions: SPICT and RI are valuable tools in predicting mortality and palliative/hospice care referrals. These can also be utilized to initiate early palliative and goals of care discussions in patients with advanced cancer.


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