HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Encompassing Everything
Karen Wilcock-Collins, Clinical Nurse Consultant at Exemplar Health Care, explains why taking a holistic approach to palliative care can improve quality of life for those with life- limiting illnesses.
Palliative care is the practice of caregiving to optimise the quality of life for those facing the end of life or those who have a serious illness.
This type of care takes on a holistic approach to caregiving in a way that other types do not – as well as medical support, like pain relief and symptom control, palliative care also involves psychological, social and spiritual support for people and their families.
The aim is to make sure that people’s wants and choices are heard, as well as meeting their fundamental needs.
CREATING A PERSONAL TAILORED PLAN
Making people comfortable, listening to their needs and trying to accommodate their choices as much as possible is what we aim for at Exemplar Health Care. It’s about seeing people as a whole person, rather than just treating their illness - and we must get this right.
Over the past nine years, I have done everything in my power to ensure that people receive palliative care that’s tailored and bespoke to their needs and choices.
There are many non-clinical aspects that need to be considered when providing comfort to those who are receiving palliative care, for example, ensuring that their spiritual needs are met. We strive to achieve this by supporting our service users to attend religious services if possible, or arranging for spiritual providers to visit people in their homes if they are unable to get out.
PROVIDING COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO
FAMILY MEMBERS As a Clinical Nurse Consultant, it’s my job to ensure that all Exemplar Health Care colleagues are trained in all aspects of palliative care, which includes how to support family members during the various stages of grief.
This is paramount, as it is so common to struggle with conversations surrounding death and all of the feelings that arise. Our staff are highly trained, and they have been carefully selected based on their caring, loving nature, which makes them capable and confident to provide this vital support.
Each Exemplar Health Care home also has a fully equipped overnight family room so that they can be close to their loved one - this eliminates the stress of families needing to source accommodation or being far away at such a crucial time.
- 24 -
Each one of our homes work closely with other professionals and groups in the local community to ensure that people can continue to live their lives in a way that they choose. This also extends to local support groups to help both service users and families in dealing with end of life care.
Palliative care is an essential part of care and takes a special type of carer. I am so proud to work with such dedicated colleagues.
www.exemplarhc.com
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
