Palliative Care, BBC Radio 4 Check Up programme

[DeborahBlythe]

A programme on Radio 4 just now about palliative care. I tried to phone in a question but there was no time for it. However someone did get a question in about palliative care and Alzheimer's (Brenda, was that you? Well done, if so). Programme can be heard at the link below
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/rams/checkup.ram

 

[Skye]

Just listened to the programme -- thank you Deborah. The Alzheimer's question is at about 21 minutes. They didn't come up with anything new, just social services, Crossroads, respite etc.

They did admit though that although palliative care in the home is well established for cancer sufferers, there is very little provision for others.

 

[jenniferpa]

Well, I've just listened to it, and perhaps I'm cynical, but it seemed very much along the "party line" sort of thing: yes you can get pain relief, support from social services etc, but no new info about HOW to get it if it's not offered. I was particularly irritated by the responses to the first caller who wanted reassurance that pain relief would be adequate and the specialist kept going on about emotional support - the poor woman wanted to know that YES pain relief would be adequate. They did address that later in the program, but still... I think the one piece of new information I got from it was that 50% of patients will suffer from "terminal restlessness" and that I didn't know. As for the caller whose father got fitted with a pace-maker even though he didn't want one: the mind boggles.

Jennifer

 

[noelphobic]

A programme on Radio 4 just now about palliative care. I tried to phone in a question but there was no time for it. However someone did get a question in about palliative care and Alzheimer's (Brenda, was that you? Well done, if so). Programme can be heard at the link below
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/rams/checkup.ram

I can't take any credit for it Deborah I'm afraid! I was at work until 5.30 pm.

I've had a very busy couple of days at work which has probably been a good thing as it's taken my mind off my mum somewhat. Also had a puncture today which I could have done without!

I will try and listen to the programme later if my son 'allows' me to stay on the computer for long enough!

Brenda

 

[Norman]

Iwas invited to sit on a palliative care group,as a patient.
I have been to several meetings and Dementia is now firmly established in the document being produced.
The main theme was for cancer,but so many of the requirments for cancer patients are the same for Dementia patients.
Ithink there is work going on for palliative care for Dementia patients although it may be at local level.
Norman

 

[Skye]

Hi Norman

That's good news. There was some work done here a couple of years ago on palliative care for dementia patients in care homes, but I haven't heard of any provision for palliative care in the home.

That's what the woman on the programme was asking about. She wanted to bring her mother home to die, but there wasn't much support.

It would be good if there was a good system of care for dementia patients. There should be.

Keep up the good work.

Love,

 

[Norman]

Hi Hazel
one of the points in palliative care is being able to choose where one wishes to die.
Many dementia patients would prefer to die at home and not in hospital
Love
Norman

 

[Lila13]

I wonder how many get that foreknowledge and choice?