Palliative Care in the mainstream – integrating geriatrics and palliative care
2nd August 2017
Palliative care in the Mainstream – Integrating geriatrics and palliative care
In July 2017 Scientific Director of Cicely Saunders International Professor Irene Higginson, spoke at the IAGG World Congress of Gerontology & Geriatrics on Global Aging and Health: Bridging Science, Policy, and Practice in San Francisco.
With international collaborators Dr Diane E Meier and Dr Luc Deliens she co-presented Palliative Care in the Mainstream – the case for Integrated geriatrics and palliative care strategies.
Case studies showed how effective palliative care is, compared to usual care, in older patients with complex/multiple conditions.
Usual Care
Examples of usual care included 4 calls to emergency department in 3 months, 4 visits to the emergency department, 3 hospitalizations, hospital acquired infections, functional decline and family distress.
Palliative Care
Palliative care in contrast provided house calls, pain management in situ, 24/7 phone coverage and support for caregivers, meals on wheels and friendly visitors programme. There were no emergency calls or visits within the last 18 months of life.
Palliative care, an additional layer of support, is suitable for
Any age
Any diagnosis
Any stage of illness
Alongside disease treatments
New models of care such as early integration alongside disease treatment provide the best outcomes for patients and caregivers, and the best value for health systems, but there is no quick fix.
Staff knowledge and communication with patient and family are key to provision of effective palliative care.