End of life and

PALLIATIVE
CARE

SYEDA SUGHRA-25
FATIMA-34
MARIA SAEED-28
INTRODUCTION
End-of-life care refers to
the support and medical
care provided to individuals
who are nearing the end of
their lives, typically in the
last weeks to months. This
care focuses on ensuring
comfort, dignity, and
quality of life for patients
as they face terminal
illnesses. It involves
managing physical
symptoms, addressing
emotional and spiritual
needs, and providing
support for families. The
goal is to ease the
 PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care is a
specialized approach to
medical care that focuses
on providing relief from the
symptoms and stress of
serious illnesses,
regardless of the stage of
the disease. It is designed
to improve the quality of
life for both patients and
their families. Palliative
care can be provided
alongside curative
treatments and is suitable
for any age and at any
stage of a serious illness.
This type of care
emphasizes a holistic
approach, addressing
 Similarities
between EOL and
Palliative Care
Patient-Centered:
Both approaches prioritize the
patient’s preferences, values,
and needs.
Symptom Management:
They aim to alleviate pain and
other distressing symptoms.
Interdisciplinary Teams:
Both involve a team of
healthcare providers, including
doctors, nurses, social
workers, and chaplains.
Support for Families:
Both offer support to family
members, helping them cope
with the emotional and
practical challenge
 Differences
between EOL and
palliative Care
Timing:
Palliative Care:
Can be provided at any stage of a
serious illness, alongside curative
treatment.
End-of-Life Care:
Typically focuses on patients who
are in the final months or weeks of
life, usually when curative
treatments are no longer effective.
Goals:
Palliative Care:
Aims to improve overall quality of
life, potentially while still pursuing
disease-modifying treatments.
End-of-Life Care:
Primarily focuses on comfort and
dignity as life comes to an end,
Settings:
Palliative Care:
Can be provided in various
settings, including
hospitals, outpatient
clinics, or at home.
End-of-Life Care:
Often associated with
hospice care, which may
occur at home, in hospice
facilities, or in hospitals
 Ethical and
Emotional
Aspects of End-
of-Life Care
FATIMA
Roll no:34
Respecting Patient
Autonomy
•What it means: Patients have the right to make
decisions about their care, including the choice to
refuse treatments.
•Why it’s important: Honoring their wishes
respects their dignity and gives them control over
how they want to live their final days.
•Challenge: Sometimes families want to continue
treatments even if the patient has chosen not to.
Example:
A patient with a terminal illness chooses comfort
care instead of being connected to machines, but
their family wants to "do everything possible."
.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders and
Advanced Directives:
•DNR: A document that tells doctors not to try to restart the heart if it
stops.
•Advanced Directive: A legal form where people write down their wishes
for future medical care (like life support or pain relief).

•Challenge: Families might not agree with the patient’s DNR choice,
thinking they need to "keep fighting.“

Example:
A patient with a DNR order has a cardiac arrest, and their family asks the
doctor to ignore it.
 Balancing Treatment and
Comfort
•What it means: Some treatments can keep a person alive
longer but may also cause more pain and suffering.
•Challenge: It can be hard to decide when to stop
aggressive treatments and focus only on comfort.
•Ethical Question: Should doctors continue treatments
that might not help, or focus on keeping the patient
comfortable?
Example:
A cancer patient’s chemotherapy isn’t working anymore,
but their family insists on continuing it in the hope of a
miracle.
Impact on Families and
Caregivers
•Emotional Stress: Families may feel guilty
or unsure about following the patient’s
wishes.
•Caregiver Burden: Taking care of someone
at the end of life can be physically and
emotionally exhausting.
•Need for Support: Healthcare providers
need to offer emotional support to both the
family and caregivers.
Example:
A caregiver might feel guilty for agreeing to
hospice care, thinking they are "giving up"
on their loved one.
 Role of
technology and
digital health in
palliative care
Maria Saeed
Roll no. 28
Enhance
communication
Digital health technologies
facilitate communication
among healthcare
professionals, improving
coordination of care. Palliative
care providers use tools like
SMS, teleconferencing, and
mobile devices to communicate
effectively.
Identification of care
need
Digital health tools allow for
Flexibility and
convenience
Digital tools provide flexibility for
healthcare professionals, enabling
remote work and helping them
manage their time more effectively.

Telehealth Services
Telemedicine allows for remote
consultations, making it easier for
patients to access specialists and
receive care without the stress of
travel..
Emotional and
mental health
support
Counseling and
Psychotherapy: Professional
support helps patients cope with
anxiety, depression, and existential
concerns related to their illness
.
Support Groups: Connecting
with others facing similar situations
can provide comfort and reduce
feelings of isolation
For Families

Family Counseling:
Support for family members helps
them cope with their own emotions
and the dynamics of caregiving.

Education and
Resources: Providing
information about the dying
process and what to expect can
alleviate fears and anxiety.
Conclusion

Mindfulness and Relaxation