Question

Although it can be difficult to face the death of a person in your care, you will play a very important role in helping the person and family through this time of transition. Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a psychiatrist who wrote the classic book On Death and Dying, said that dying people teach us how to live, how to look at our own lives and how to see every day precious gift. This is the gift that we receive when we provide end-of-life care. W as a Sses Ellen Miller has been a resident at Morningside Nursing Home for the past 2 years. She has advanced heart and lung disease that limits her ability to care for herself. She can no longer walk in her room because of shortness of breath and severe arthritis. During the past 6 months, Mrs. Miller has been hospitalized for pneumonia and exacerbations of her chronic heart failure three times. After the last time, Mrs. Miller told her family that she does not want to go back to the hospital again. She signed an advance directive saying that she wants to be kept comfortable but does not want any special measures taken to prolong her life. o to angi For the past few weeks, Mrs. Miller's condition has gotten worse. She has trouble eating and is losing weight. She does not want to get out of bed because of pain and feels that she is too weak to sit in her chair. The health care team recognizes that Mrs. Miller most likely is starting the next phase of her life, the end-of-life period. Mrs. Miller's primary care provider meets with Mrs. Miller and her children and reassures them that while Mrs. Miller's condition is terminal, much can be done toov ensure her comfort in the coming months. tiw yee glod ot gnill What type of care might be put in place for Mrs. Miller going forward? Why is honoring Mrs. Miller's wishes regarding end-of-life care important? 21 no21s0 s After the family conference, Mrs. Miller's son, William, runs into you in the hall. He recognizes you as one of the nurse assistants who has been caring for his mother for the last 2 years. He says, "I just don't understand why Mom has given up so easily. She has so much to live for-my sister and me. and her grandchildren." His voice cracks, and his eyes start to fill with tears. What emotions might William be experiencing now? How would you respond to William? What other emotions could William, his sister and Mrs. Miller experience over the next few months? ybus2 s2s Mrs. Miller died early this morning from complications of her heart and lung disease. Mrs. Miller's o daughter, Sheila, asks if you can help her select a dress for her mother's burial. You say that you willeb and that you know how much choosing a pretty dress would please her mother, because she was always so particular about her appearance, Sheila savs, "You've been so great with us and Mom. This has been a really difficult time for our entire family, I can't tell you how much it has meant to me these last few weeks to know that Mom was receiving such good care."oznoisomotn orW How have Sheila's memories of her mother's death been affected by the care you provided for her mother throughout the end-of-life period? How would these memories be different if she felt that her mother did not receive excellent care during the end of her life? bivoig uoy liv ST03 30W

Answer 1

1. The type of care that can be put forward for Mrs .Miller is Palliative care . Palliative care is a form of treatment in which the main concern is to relieve pain and provide comfort as long as the patient survives .

2. Honouring Mrs. Miller's wishes regarding the end of life care is very important because we have to make her most comfortable and free from pain until her life ends .

3. William is experiencing the most painful moment of life about leaving her mother soon . He is not able to understand that how suddenly her condition worsen and now she is in pain and not able to fight with condition .

4. I would respond to William ,by first of all making him seated comfortably . Encourage him to express his concerns and worries and would explain each one by one . And will explain that now the moment has come and what we have to do is to make her comfortable and free of pain .