Challenges Facing Palliative Care and Possible Solutions

Challenges Facing Palliative Care and Possible Solutions

Over the past years, managing the health life of the aged has been a bother to clinicians. Even though most of the elderly with or without terminal illnesses would prefer care and death at home, hindrances to the elderly’ preferences prove to be an irritant.

Challenges from either side of the elderly and the clinical officers are seen to affect the scope of palliative care. “Reluctance to accept a referral for specialist palliative care on the part of the patient and family can vary from one culture to another” (Hawley, 2017). The family response to palliative care for their aged relative before the old age would matter most. On the other hand, a patient’s act to accept palliative care early in advance would influence the preparations and quality of palliative services offered after that. Monroe & Hansford clearly state that “Evidence on care currently delivered in care homes indicates …inappropriate use of emergency hospital services at the very end of residents’ lives…” (2010, p.11). Professionals might also be reluctant to offer their services. The reluctance factor cutting across palliative care is an issue of interest.

Limited understanding of the resources related to palliative care, is a known deterrent to access of elderly care. Hawley asserts that “Palliative care services are not yet available to all patients with serious chronic illness, even in a high-resource system such as in the United States.” Also, “…freestanding buildings in pleasant locations…lead to lack of awareness of their existence” (Hawley 2017). Some of the known hindrances span around the lack of awareness of resources such as buildings and palliative care information. Demographic issues touching on urban and rural settings are part of social obstacles.

Clinicians face several issues related to professionalism and balance of emotion, among others. “Staff…need coaching, mentoring and a regular presence over time from a professional experienced in palliative care to reinforce learning and support good practice.” (Monroe & Hansford, 2010, p.11) Palliative care demands a great deal of conduct to relate with the patient and their family. “Improved integration between specialist and generalist services is also important (p.13)”. Teamwork among clinical officers in various fields should be highly embraced. Hawley, suggests that all clinical staff should receive training on palliative care. The training would see enhancement of service in centers providing recovery and care services for the elderly. The preparations would also deal with the strain of emotions faced by clinical nurses.

The elderly should be well-taken care. Health is a fundamental factor in their life. Taking early measures to combat the chronic illnesses affecting the aging, would see most of their lives safeguarded. Everyone within the social context has a role to play in the elderlies’ health issue.

Over the past years, managing the health life of the aged has been a bother to clinicians. Even though most of the elderly with or without terminal illnesses would prefer care and death at home, hindrances to the elderly’ preferences prove to be an irritant.

Challenges from either side of the elderly and the clinical officers are seen to affect the scope of palliative care. “Reluctance to accept a referral for specialist palliative care on the part of the patient and family can vary from one culture to another” (Hawley, 2017). The family response to palliative care for their aged relative before the old age would matter most. On the other hand, a patient’s act to accept palliative care early in advance would influence the preparations and quality of palliative services offered after that. Monroe & Hansford clearly state that “Evidence on care currently delivered in care homes indicates …inappropriate use of emergency hospital services at the very end of residents’ lives…” (2010, p.11). Professionals might also be reluctant to offer their services. The reluctance factor cutting across palliative care is an issue of interest.

Limited understanding of the resources related to palliative care, is a known deterrent to access of elderly care. Hawley asserts that “Palliative care services are not yet available to all patients with serious chronic illness, even in a high-resource system such as in the United States.” Also, “…freestanding buildings in pleasant locations…lead to lack of awareness of their existence” (Hawley 2017). Some of the known hindrances span around the lack of awareness of resources such as buildings and palliative care information. Demographic issues touching on urban and rural settings are part of social obstacles.

Clinicians face several issues related to professionalism and balance of emotion, among others. “Staff…need coaching, mentoring and a regular presence over time from a professional experienced in palliative care to reinforce learning and support good practice.” (Monroe & Hansford, 2010, p.11) Palliative care demands a great deal of conduct to relate with the patient and their family. “Improved integration between specialist and generalist services is also important (p.13)”. Teamwork among clinical officers in various fields should be highly embraced. Hawley, suggests that all clinical staff should receive training on palliative care. The training would see enhancement of service in centers providing recovery and care services for the elderly. The preparations would also deal with the strain of emotions faced by clinical nurses.

The elderly should be well-taken care. Health is a fundamental factor in their life. Taking early measures to combat the chronic illnesses affecting the aging, would see most of their lives safeguarded. Everyone within the social context has a role to play in the elderlies’ health issue.