Hospice Care

 

Melisa Leo Fernandes

Professor, SMBT, Institute of Nursing, Nashik, Maharashtra.

House No.1, Fernandes Residence, Jai Bhavani Road, Nashik Road, Nashik- 422101.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: melisafernandes31@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: Cancer begins when genetic changes interfere with orderly process of cell division. Cells start to grow uncontrollably. These cells may form a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.2 Cancer is not a single disease. Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Ignoring the body’s signal to stop, malignant cells multiply to form tumors in organs and tissues or, in the case of blood cancers, crowd out normal cells in the blood stream and bone marrow. When the genetic material of a cell– the DNA– is damaged, mutations can arise, potentially disrupting normal growth and division. An accumulation of mutations can turn normal cells into precancerous cells, which sometimes multiply and evolve into cancer cells. Cancer is a result of the accumulation of this cell.2 Statement: Assess the awareness about the causative factor, control, and prevention of oral cancer among the supportive staff of the selected organization in the urban area. Objectives: 1) To assess the awareness about the causative factors of the oral cancer among the supportive staff of the selected organization in the urban area. 2) To assess the awareness about the control measures of the oral cancer among the supportive staff of the selected organization in the urban area. 3) To assess the awareness about the preventive measures of the oral cancer among the supportive staff of the selected organization in the urban area.

4) To find out the relation between the awareness about the causative factors, control and prevention of the cancer with the selected demographic variables among the supportive staff of the selected organization in the urban area. METHOD: A Descriptive research design was used for the present study & 60 supportive staff are selected from RYK science College. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the awareness of supportive staff regarding oral caner. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULT: Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. In the present study shows that the percentage wise result of assessment of awareness about the causative factors, control and prevention of oral cancer. It shows that 40% supportive staff has excellent knowledge about the causative factors, control and prevention of oral cancer. However 11.66% of supportive staff has poor awareness score about the causative factors, control and prevention of oral cancer. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study showed that, supportive staff has excellent knowledge (40%) about the causative factors, control and prevention of oral cancer whereas 11.66% of supportive staff has poor knowledge about the causative factors, control and prevention of oral cancer. More educational and awareness programmesto such group will help to enhance knowledge on prevention of oral cancers.

 

KEYWORDS: Cancer, Care.

 

 


INTRODUCTION:

Life and death have intrigued humankind throughout history. Traditionally, mortality and the death experience are difficult and awkward topics to discuss and accept. Before the 1960s patients who were not expected to survive were placed in isolated hospital areas, were given less than quality care, and died without appropriate medical care. The special needs of the dying and the terminally ill are now well acknowledged and integrated into syllabus of health science course. Nurses spend more time with the patients near the end of life than any other health care professionals.

 

What is hospice care?

Hospice is not a place but a concept of care that provides compassion, concern and support for the dying. Hospice exists to provide support and care for persons in the last phases of terminal disease so that they might lives as fully and as comfortable as possible1. Hospice programme provides care with emphasis on symptom management, advance care planning, spiritual care, and family support.

 

Goals of hospice care

·       Provides support and care for those in the late phase of life –limiting illness

·       Recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living

·       Affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death

·       Focuses on quality of life for individual and their family caregivers

 

When is hospice care used?

Hospice care isn't just for people who have cancer. Many people who receive hospice care have cancer, while others have heart disease, dementia, kidney failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc.

 

Enrolling in hospice care early helps patients to live better and live longer. Hospice care decreases the burden on the family, decreases the family's likelihood of having a complicated bereavement and prepares family members for their loved one's death2.

 

Who gives hospice care?

A hospice care team typically includes:

Doctors, nurses (nurses are also responsible for coordination of the hospice care team) home health aides (extra support for routine care, such as dressing, bathing and eating) spiritual counsellors, social workers, pharmacists, volunteers, other professionals (Speech, physical and occupational therapists can provide therapy, if needed), bereavement counsellors (trained bereavement counsellors offer support and guidance after the death of a loved one in hospice)

 

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?

 

Difference between palliative care and hospice care

Where do cancer patients receive palliative care?

Hospice care can take place

·       At home

·       At a hospice center

·       In a hospital

·       In a skilled nursing facility

 

Respite care:

For patients being cared for at home, some hospice services offer respite care to allow friends and family some time away from care giving. Respite care can be given in up to 5-day periods of time, during which the person with cancer is cared for either in the hospice facility or in beds that are set aside in nursing homes or hospitals.3

 

Bereavement care:

Bereavement is the period of mourning after a loss. The hospice care team works with surviving loved ones to help them through the grieving process. A trained volunteer, clergy member, or professional counsellor provides support to survivors through visits, phone calls, and/or other contact, as well as through support groups. The hospice team can refer family members and care giving friends to other medical or professional care if needed4. Bereavement services are often provided for about a year after the patient’s death.

 

CONCLUSION:

Hospice care treats the person rather than the disease, working to manage symptoms so that a person’s last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice care is also family- centred – it includes the patient and the family in making decisions. A hospice nurse can help interpret what is happening, or explain the signs of imminent death. And when families need a break, the sick person can spend up to five days at a time in inpatient respite care, such as in a nursing home or hospice facility.

 

“You matter because of who you are. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”

--Dame Cicely Saunder

 

REFERENCE:

1.      Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirksen, O’Brian, and Bucher, Medical Surgical Nursing, Assessment and management of clinical problems, 7th edition, Mosby Elsevier Publication, New Delhi, Page No.156-166

2.      http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/end-of-life/in-depth/hospice-care/art-20048050

3.      https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/choosing-your-treatment-team/hospice-care/what-is-hospice-care.html

4.      https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2017/hospice-need-to-know.html

 

 

 

Received on 04.07.2024         Revised on 03.08.2024

Accepted on 28.08.2024         Published on 28.11.2024

Available online on December 31, 2024

A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2024;3(4):154-155.

DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2024.36

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