Ending Care at the End of Life

Paper Summary:

Everyone dies. Prior to that moment, there lies a need for comprehensive, compassionate care of the terminally ill patient. This paper examines three primary arenas for the provision of palliative care. Firstly, the paper examines the hospital setting with 24 hour staff, pharmacy and equipment, acute care and ready access to care. It then looks at nursing homes which provide similar benefits, but in a more comfortable, private surrounding. Finally, the paper looks at inpatient hospice programs which accommodate terminally ill patients in their own homes with the broadest spectrum of palliative care. Proper planning, through the establishment of advanced directives and communication between the patient, his or her family, and the attending physician, enables the implementation of the most desired and most appropriate level of care when needed.

From the Paper:

"For those individuals whose life expectancy and acuity level make the hospital setting impractical, another option exists in the form of terminal care in the nursing home. Approximately 20 percent of Americans will die in skilled nursing facilities. (Keay & Schonwetter 2). Grouping terminal patients in such a manner provides a unique opportunity to address their needs. With a more comfortable, private space for the patient, a staff present at all times, and ready access to medicines, the nursing home seems primed to provide a measure of care that could match or even surpass the hospital environment."

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