End of Life and palliative care: Thinking about the words we use

Key messages:

1. When speaking to a person who is dying or their relatives, understand the impact of the terms used
2. Where possible, try to explain things in plain English, rather than automatically using potentially unfamiliar terms like ‘palliative’ and ‘end of life’ care’
3. Regardless of the terms used, always check what the person has understood from the conversation
4. Always speak in a kind and caring way to the person who is dying as well as to their relatives and friends

What is the video about?

The film makes the case for practitioners to communicate how much they care about the person who is dying; as well as being clear about what they’re doing to help and support the person and their friends and relatives. Practitioners need to ask themselves whether the words they are using convey this compassion, and also check with those they are caring for, that the information they are providing is clear as well as compassionate.

[mrbiff]

From my personal experience, palliative care has been the care given when it just makes sense to stop fighting a mortal struggle. At some point, acceptance really does make sense so that the last very bit of it no longer has to be a struggle. End of Life care is the care given at the very end and is a time to cherish a life well lived and to count one's many blessings.

[reginamaasdorp]

palliative care encompasses end of life care. only difference probably is the time left to exit or to crossover. whats needed in both is holistic care . medical, emotional, spiritual, social, psychological etc. i believe to be honest to patients explaining the disease progression that will lead to death eventually.

[christinehughes]

Palliative doesn't mean EOL. Palliative is quality of life for someone who has a condition that will only result in further stages of deterioration which will eventually lead to EOL This can take months or years depending on the severity of the condition/ multi comorbidities and the individual themselves.

[krisjutras]

This was very helpful to me.
Thanks! !! :)

[imranullah]

This is in general, a good message, but what we must use instead of palliative care is not told.
It is mentioned that we as a healthcare person need to use simple words but no example given.
I m an IMG doctor but at my point, it is too hard to find proper words.
Would you tell us some please.
Thanks

[tibes]

Palliative care and End of Life Care (Hospice) are two different things. Palliative care = comfort care. While hospice certainly has a palliative component to keep people comfortable as they go through their last days of life, hospice in the U.S.A. is generally used by people who are expected to live for 6 months or less. Somebody who has end-stage COPD may have a few years to live before they begin approaching death, but we can certainly give palliative care to someone like this who may be dealing with constant discomforts in life such as always feeling like they can't catch their breath. There are medicines that can be given to help prevent this feeling, and this would be a small example of something offered with palliative care.

[pradeepbhatnagar]

Informative vdo.Prevention is better than cure so Awerness on Tabacco effects r essential

[Elizabeth-mmb]

Midazolam is not palliative. It causes breathing difficulties. An Ohio judge banned the use of Midazolam in executions, deeming it to be inhumane.

[xonivora]

It's a very personal decision by THE FAMILY not every person needs to know they are dying it depends on the circumstances.

[cjstory]

i would not view a person who wants to speak of the time when he/she is no longer "here, " as avoiding the term "death" or "dying" in they happen not to use it at that time in their "lives, " but rather simply seeing it from a perspective that understands those ideas as misnomers, and therefore the more accurate terminology, in their perspective, might be to say "when I have crossed over." so...move on.

[denisejuarbe]

yes is a death busines ready saddly I loss my dad, long history, but I will post in some way. Hospice work with de devil.