The Palliative Approach: A Resource for Healthcare Workers

Erica Cameron-Taylor trained as a General Practitioner before undertaking advanced training in palliative care. Her particular interests are integrating palliative care into generalist care paradigms, palliative care in dementia and medical education.This helpful book offers a simple and commonsense introduction to the care of patients in the generalist setting for whom a palliative approach is deemed appropriate. Many of these patients may be living at home or in care homes, and many may be months or even years away from the terminal phase of illness. With the aid of real-life examples and case studies, this text aims to give a wide range of healthcare professionals an understanding of, and competence in, the provision of holistic, supportive care that is focused on comfort and quality of life. CONTENTS INCLUDE:What is palliative care?The palliative approachCare of the elderly and dementiaOld ageDeath and dyingMalignancyOrgan failureNeurodegenerative disordersThe rise of chronic disease and the ‘oldest old’Recognising the dying patientMedical treatment versus medical careThe good referralGrief and lossCaring for the carerDifficult discussionsThe angel at the end of the bedCase studies