End of like care in the United States Current Reality and futrue Promise A policy review - Essay Example

End of Like Care in the United s Current Reality and Future Promise a Policy Review End of life care involves palliative care and hospice care to terminally ill and old individuals. By providing treatment to serious illness in the hope of cure for an unknown period; the mode of care given to the patient in this case refers palliative care (Giovanni, 135). In United States, palliative care expands to address more than just symptoms; it as well improves the quality of life. It provides social, emotional and physical support.

There is similarity in palliative and hospice treatment, only that in hospice the patients’ treatment stops.End of life care has positive and negative impacts on the chronically ill old adults and how they spend their last days (Giovanni, 135). With age, serious health complications arise. Given the general body weakness and poor immunity, most chronic diseases are terminal to the old. Previous research has proven that open discussion on care treatment between patient and doctor improved the patient satisfaction among the elderly.

The old experience less fear and anxiety, they feel an appreciation towards their wishes, and it provides them the opportunity to die with dignity. On the other hand, end life care can be a serious burden to the elderly suffering from chronic illness, it prolongs pain and suffering. It is also a heavy burden when bills ought to be paid to prolong the life that will soon end (Giovanni, 135).Most women than men experience end of life care due to their prolonged life span as compared to the male counter parts, as a result, most elderly women than men end up in nursing homes or homes for the elderly.

The negative impact in this is the fact that a majority of this women end up widowed and alone (Giovanni, 135). A majority of the old individuals suffer from cognitive impairment; a condition characterized by memory problems beyond the expected aging process. End of life care program provide the necessary understanding and facilitate memory gain. A majority of the unaware would not handle the situation in the same manner.Older adults dying in countryside areas due to chronic illness are many due to the limited access of health care facilities, lack of transportation, limited social services, and lack of adequate housing.

The benefits arising from end of life care to this category of the elderly include household care and respite care (Giovanni, 135). The elderly managed to receive medication and support from any place.Work CitedGiovanni, Lisa A. End-of-Life Care in the United States: Current Reality and Future Promise – A Policy Review. CNE Series. NURSING ECONOMIC$/May-June 2012/Vol. 30/No. 3. Available at