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| Definitions |
Supportive Care
Supportive care is an 'umbrella' term for all services, both generalist and
specialist, that may be required to support people with life threatening illness.
It is not a response to a particular disease or its stage, but is based on an
assumption that people have needs for supportive care from the time that the
possibility of a life threatening condition is raised.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is the active, holistic care of patients with advanced,
progressive illness. Management of pain and other symptoms and the
provision of psychological, social and spiritual support is paramount.
The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best quality of life for
patients and their families. Many aspects of palliative care are also
applicable earlier in the course of the illness in conjunction with other treatments.
(Definitions derived from NICE Guidance on Improving Supportive and Palliative Care for Adults with Cancer)
Care of the Dying
Care of the dying is the care of the patient and family in the last hours
and days of life. It incorporates four key domains of care, physical, social
and spiritual and supports the family at that time and into bereavement.
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