End-of-life care: respect and dignity

In the face of a terminal disease that is in an advanced, progressive and incurable phase and whose treatment is not effective, the prognosis for life turns out to be very limited. At these moments we no longer talk about healing, but about caring. End-of-life care is essential, not only to alleviate physical suffering, but also mental and emotional suffering.

Palliative care or end-of-life care does not accelerate or delay death; its objective is to preserve the best possible quality of life until the last moment, with the greatest possible respect and dignity.

Pain and symptom control

Among palliative care, priority is given to the relief of pain and other uncomfortable or distressing symptoms, such as the feeling of shortness of breath, or fatigue, nausea, anxiety, anorexia, constipation, immobility, confusion, etc. Medications, complementary therapies, and symptom management techniques are used to ensure maximum comfort.

Emotional and spiritual accompaniment

Emotional and spiritual support is offered to both the patient and their families and caregivers. In this final phase, the emotions that are most worked on and accompanied are fear, anxiety, depression and the feeling of loneliness. In addition to psychological support, spiritual help is also provided, always respecting the expressed will and religious traditions that have been expressed by the person.

Respect for autonomy and dignity

It is essential to respect the autonomy and dignity of the patient, allowing them to participate in decisions related to their medical care and personal care. Your identity, your preferences and your quality of life are valued.

Family-centered care

Let us not forget the importance of family and loved ones in the end-of-life care process. That is why it is necessary to offer support to family members and caregivers, educate them on how to provide appropriate care and help them cope with grief and loss.

Communication with people at the end of life

Communicating with people at the end of life is crucial to offer them emotional support and understanding at such a delicate time. It is essential to practice active listening, demonstrate empathy and speak honestly and delicately about your situation. Respecting their wishes and boundaries, offering practical support, and validating their experiences are key to facilitating effective communication.

During the palliative care stage, at NAMI we encourage open and honest communication between the patient, health professionals and their loved ones. This allows the patient to express their wishes and concerns, make informed decisions about their care, and prepare for the end of life. This involves discussing and documenting the patient’s wishes regarding medical treatment, palliative care, and other important aspects. In this way, we try to ensure that the patient’s wishes are respected and followed.

Emotional support for patients and family members

Providing emotional support to both patients and their families during the end-of-life care process is essential to help them cope with this difficult time.

The work of NAMI psychologists consists of providing emotional support to patients by actively listening to their concerns and fears, validating their emotions and providing comfort and company. In addition to maintaining open and honest communication about their situation, it is also necessary to give them the opportunity to express their wishes, memories and feelings so that they can find a sense of peace and acceptance.

As for family members, the emotional support of our team of psychologists involves being present and available to listen to and support their needs and concerns. In this way we can help them understand and process their own emotions, offer them support resources, such as grief therapy, and help them coordinate care and patient care.

Ultimately, offeringcompassionate and caring emotional supportto both patients and their loved ones helps them navigate this transition period with dignity, respect and love.

Role of professionals in palliative care

In the NAMI residences we have multidisciplinary teams that not only allow us to offer comprehensive care to our residents, but we also develop palliative care, as an alternative to hospitalization.

These teams are made up of professionals who are sensitive to the situation of the resident and their family, and highly trained and specialized in different tasks:

• The nursing assistants are responsible for ensuring daily physical well-being, including comfort, hygiene and nutrition, in addition to communicating any change in the resident’s situation to the medical team for prompt attention.
  
  
• Psychologists offer emotional and therapeutic support to both the resident and their families, especially in times of anticipated grief or difficulty accepting the progression of the disease.
  
  
• Occupational therapists promote the resident’s functionality and autonomy through personalized activities and relaxation therapies.
  
  
• Physiotherapists provide individualized physical treatments to maintain mobility and relieve pain.
  
  
• The nursing staff monitors the symptoms and signs that may appear, adjusting guidelines and care as necessary.
  
  
• The center’s doctor acts as a direct link with the family. Try to provide answers to different concerns and maintain communication with the palliative care teams and the referral hospital.
  
  
• Social workers offer guidance and support in legal matters, social benefits, different procedures and last wills.

Care at the end of life

End-of-life care allows residents to spend their final days in a familiar and comfortable environment, surrounded by people and places they know.

In addition, we ensure continuity of care, avoiding unnecessary transfers to hospitals. This facilitates more personalized care, adapted to the individual needs of each resident, which improves their quality of life.

We also offer support to families, who can actively participate in caregiving and find comfort in staying close to their loved ones during this difficult time. In this way, stress is reduced, making it easier for residents and their families to face this final stage of life with more peace of mind.