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Better palliative care for older people
- Editors:
- DAVIES Elizabeth, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 40p.
- Place of publication:
- Copenhagen
Most deaths in European and other developed countries occur in people aged over 65; as life expectancy increases the number of people living to older ages is also increasing in many countries. In the context of the resulting growing public health importance of palliative care, this booklet aims to present evidence for policies for palliative care for older people, arguments for integrating palliative care across health services and promoting better care towards the end of life, and models for effective care solutions. It describes the implications of population ageing for palliative care needs and why these are a public health priority, the needs and rights of older people and their families, and underassessment and treatment of older peoples' problems and their lack of access to palliative care. It summarises evidence for effective care solutions, including better pain relief, communication and organisation of services such as home care and specialist services. It also discusses the key challenges for health policy and decision makers in government and non-governmental sectors, and provides recommendations to improve care and provide security and dignity for older people towards the end of life. It expresses a European viewpoint. A separate companion booklet, Palliative care - the solid facts, considers why palliative care is a public health issue.
Palliative care: the solid facts
- Editors:
- DAVIES Elizabeth, HIGGINSON Irene J., (eds.)
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- Copenhagen
The purpose of this booklet, intended mainly for decision makers and health professionals at all levels, is to provide a concise overview of the best available evidence on the concept of palliative care and related services. It expresses a European viewpoint. Drawing mainly on evidence from a systematic review of scientific evidence from Europe and North America, it discusses: why changes in populations make care towards the end of life a public health issue, the emerging needs for care towards the end of life, what palliative care is, the importance of individual rights, preferences and options, the evidence for effective palliative care, and the need to ensure access to palliative care for vulnerable groups. It also looks at how to develop programmes to improve the quality of palliative care, how to improve education and training in palliative care for health professionals, the need to increase public awareness of palliative care issues and options, and the kind of research and development on palliative care that will help policy makers. A separate companion booklet, Better palliative care for older people, considers the care of older people.