Palliative Care: Philosophy, Home-Based, Hospice, Aged Care, Chinese Culture, Nursing Ethics, and Bereavement

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Palliative Care
Student’s name
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Philosophy of palliative care
According to Wilson, Avalos, & Dowling, (2016) palliative care refers to the care that is
given to patients who suffer from terminal illnesses and life threatening conditions. This care
may include several intervention but it is largely meant to improve the quality of life for such
people. therefore, there are several operations done as part of palliative care which aims at
resolving physical and emotional pain, relieving the patient from some of the symptoms of
diseases, helping patients who are dying to die a natural and normal death and also improving the
social life of patients by collaborating with family and friends to provide holistic care to the
patient in what is perceived as end of life care.
Palliative care begins with the identification and diagnosis of a terminal illness in a
patient. The patient is assigned palliative care at home, in the hospital or in a hospice. At this
early stage, most of the interventions that the patient goes through are meant to prolong life and
make life more enjoyable by the patient. Such intervention include chemotherapy for patients
with cancerous conditions. Palliative care is also geared to ensuring that patients live as actively
as possible to ensure that they make the best out of their life. Palliative care therefore does not
only involve the hospital based medications but also psychosocial support and counselling.
Palliative care is provided to patients with terminal illnesses because they are perceived
to be experiencing pain from all aspects of their life ranging from social spheres where they
experience neglect Connor, (2017). Physical pain from the illnesses, cultural pain that may
emanate from stigma and other related misconceptions about their health. Lastly, they experience
spiritual and emotional pain as they approach dying and they are worried about the next phase of
life. Palliative care therefore requires a team oriented care that is well coordinated, continuous
throughout a patient’s life and comprehensive enough to cure all sorts of pain.

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Home based care
Home based palliative care simply refers to offering palliative care at home. There are
several advantages of home based care which includes unconditional support. The patient is able
to benefit from unconditional love and care from their family members who understands them
more and who are likely to give the best physical and emotional support. Home based care
improves the quality of life as it shifts the attention of the patient from their illnesses to the love
and warmth of being at home. In addition, it is a cost effective option as opposed to receiving
care at the hospital. However, it may have several challenges as family members and members of
the society who fail to understand the patient may add unto them emotional stress and stigma
which may worsen the condition of the patient.
Hospice based care
A hospice refers to a specialized home that offers palliative and end of life care to
patients with terminal illnesses. The hospice is best suited to offer palliative care as it shields
patients from harsh environments such as in the hospital or at home where they are likely to be
discriminated against, stigmatized and being treated with judgmental attitude Fitch, Fliedner, &
O’Connor, (2015). One major advantage of the hospice care is that patients are able to identify
with people who are facing life threatening conditions as them which gives them solace and
hope. The concept of a hospice care is one that is still developing but it has not encountered
serious challenges yet.
Residential aged care
Residential aged care refers to the care given to very old people who can no longer
comfortably stay at their homes Sjögren, Lindkvist, Sandman, Zingmark, & Edvardsson, (2015).