Life and death is the two main stages in a human beings life, where we come across many
challenges, diseases, and other problems. Olden days persons with chronic diseases, terminal
illness and dying is viewed as taboo
...
Life and death is the two main stages in a human beings life, where we come across many
challenges, diseases, and other problems. Olden days persons with chronic diseases, terminal
illness and dying is viewed as taboo topics, due to which few new concept developed for the care
of person who is at their end stage, one of those topics is end of life.
2. Definition:
End of life: It is the concluding phase of normal lifespan although life can end at any age
3. Goals:
Provide comfort and supportive care during process
Improve the quality of remaining life
Help to ensure dignified death
4. Terminologies:
Advance directives: Advanced care directives are specific instructions, prepared in advance,
intended to direct a person's medical care in the event that he/she is unable to do so in the future.
Bereavement: it is an individual‘s response to the loss of a significant person.
Cheyne-stoke respiration: a striking form of breathing in which there is a cyclical variation in
the rate. This becomes slower until breathing stops for several seconds before speeding up to a
peak and then slowing again.
Death: Legal definition of death, in most states, requires "irreversible cessation of all functions
of the entire brain, including the brain stem."
Death rattle: inability to cough or clear secretions resulting in grunting.
Hospice: A special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and
their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
Palliative: a medicine that gives temporary relief from the symptoms of diseases but actually
does not cure the disease
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