Care+In+The+Last+Hours+And+Days+Of+Life

Chapman, Laura, and John Ellershaw. "Physical Problems: Care In The Last Hours And Days Of Life." Medicine 43.Palliative Care (2015): 736-739. ScienceDirect. Web. 11 June 2016.

This article discusses the need for proper care in the final days of life. Identified are several; core principles for care of a dying person, barriers to timely identification of the dying phase, and consequences of not properly identifying the dying phase. Special attention is given to explaining what actions the caregivers are most likely to take in addressing specific symptoms as well as the administration of pharmaceuticals to provide the best EOL (end of life) care in relation to these symptoms. The article, indirectly, gives a validating list of indicators for the onset of the dying phase.

Information from this article will help to focus the deeper research required by providing a less exhaustive list of indicators. I’m also intrigued by the listing of barriers to identifying the dying phase, something not previously mentioned, and the effect these barriers have on timely application of palliative care. The article also allows for a better understanding of the dying process from the perspective of the caregivers.