DEAN Foundation: Compassionate Hospice & Palliative Care Ser

Hospice and Palliative Care:

Holistic support for patients with limited life expectancy to help meet physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs without discrimination but with love, acceptance and dignity.

Specially trained staff (consisting of a team of doctor, nurse, social worker/counsellor and volunteer) who work closely with the patient's primary care physician, if necessary, to oversee care and treatment.

Focus is on controlling pain and other distressing symptoms connected with end-stage disease. This includes dispensing medications, dressing foul-smelling, fungating ulcers, Ryles tube insertion, administration of IV/subcutaneous fluids, Ascitis tapping, bladder wash, catheterization, stoma care, etc. Sponge bath, eye and oral care, and perineum care form an integeral part of the routine procedures to prevent fungal infections and make the patient as comfortable as possible.

We

Provide patients with hospital cots, water beds, wheel chairs, bed pans, urinals and commodes

Train volunteers, family and patients in basic nursing care and infection control

Provide advice on nutritional requirements

Allow patients to ventilate feelings and emotions; help identify patient and family concerns

Assist the patient to regain maximum independence and thereby meet self-care requisites

Empower the patient and the family by helping them find strength in themselves and to make informed choices