Part 1
The realization that illnesses can be cumbersome to contain especially in the event that the patient is approaching the end of their lives is an issue that cannot be understated. In such situations, therefore, there is the need to have in place strategies that will satisfactorily address the problems associated with such life-limiting sickness (Palliative care NSW, 2012). In this direction, therefore, one of the most appropriate ways through which these illnesses can be solved is by employing the palliative care in addressing the problems that such patients and their families may be going through. As such, there is the need to have a better understanding of palliative care and the role that it plays in ensuring that the healthcare wants of specific parts of the populace are effectively taken care.
There are many benefits that have been associated with the applying palliative care in addressing healthcare issues in young adults facing life-threatening illnesses and their families. The benefits that have been linked with this form of care provision dwells much on addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patient. From the physical point of view, palliative care plays the role of assisting the patient to manage their physical discomfort and pain. Pain has been identified as the major symptom that affects patients with life-limiting diseases (Haley & Daley, 2013). As such, there is the need to address the pains that young adults undergo since they may have other physical problems coming along with the progression of the disease. Symptoms such as insomnia, lethargy, anorexia and constipation may result if the pain not managed satisfactorily. As such, it is evident that palliative care is an imperative technique which is used in solving the problems that patients with life-limiting illnesses face. By patients having a better understanding of the role that care providers play in assisting them handle their pain; it gives them a sense of relief in life. Such a realization therefore assists in boosting their psychological comfort and well-being in addition to that one of their family members (Bhatnagar & Joshi, 2011). Additionally, counseling also plays the role of assisting patients cope with the fear that is linked with death and dying. By palliative care nurses treating such patients with respect and dignity, it makes them develop a sense of confidence and acceptance till the day that they die.
This care provision process as well plays an important role in making sure that the social needs of the patient have been adequately addressed. By nurses being around the terminally-ill patients and constantly giving them words of encouragement, it becomes easier for them to adapt to the conditions that they are being faced with in that particular moment. Such social support is vital in the sense that it assists them to forget about the pain and suffering that they are going through a factor which is tandem with helping them address the psychological pain that they go through. Additionally, sorting their social requirements helps in reducing any feelings of loneliness. Such strategies are provided by social support networks that take into account the cultural needs of the patient. Finally, palliative care is vital in assisting young patients and their family transition peacefully to death by taking care of their spiritual needs. The chaplains that are found in palliative care units play the role of reinforcing the patients’ belief in God that there is a better place waiting for them in the event that they die (Haley & Daley, 2013). Such a realization therefore assists the patients to resolve issues with their acquaintances and relations who are vital in assisting them achieve a sense of spiritual and emotional completion. Furthermore, spirituality during palliative care is crucial in assisting the young patients come to terms with the life changes that have taken place during their illnesses period. All these efforts are vital in assisting the patients to achieve holistic care.
Part 2
Nurses play vital roles in the palliative care unit by making sure that the dignity and the choices of the patients have been respected. In achieving this objective, nurses focus on improving the quality of life of these young adults and their families. As such, care providers are actively involved in pain relief management practices which are essential in the provision of dignity and quality care till the death. The Registered Nurses Code of Ethics posits that nurses are tasked with fostering comfort and the alleviation of suffering from the patients in addition to advocating for pain relief support to these patients till their time of dying (Aslakson et al., 2014). Additionally, nurses in the palliative care unit have got direct engagements with their patients which are useful steps in assessing their sufferings and survival rates and providing them with the required support. To achieve these objectives, therefore, nurses interact with patients by initiating different forms of communication which give a clear reflection of the patients’ healthcare wishes and needs. Secondly, nurses are supposed to respect the healthcare desires and values of their patients and their families which go in line with their ethical and moral standings. Thirdly, nurses are supposed to make sure that they provide holistic care which is well coordinated, comprehensive and compassionate to the patients and their families. They are furthermore required to support and advocate for their patients during their living and dying experiences. Nurses are also tasked with providing therapeutic and compassionate assistance to the families of the patients which include support in terms of bereavement and grief in their dying process. Such efforts are aimed at helping the patient’s families handle their dying. Finally, nurses assist in advocating for resources which are valuable in assisting young patients and their families in selecting an environment that they deem most appropriate for a peaceful and dignified death for the patient with life-limiting illness (Joint Position Statement, 2015). All these objectives can only be achieved in the event that nurses work in interdisciplinary teams which include integrity in the care provision process so that the most favorable palliative care is given to these patients during their end of life stages.
Conclusively, it has been established that young adults and their patients usually undergo a lot of challenges as far as their healthcare needs are concerned. As such, this condition calls for optimal efforts that can satisfactorily address the problems that come along with life-limiting illnesses. Therefore, palliative care has been seen to be helpful in addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of these young patients. Nurses also play important roles in making sure that these objectives are achieved.
References
Aslakson, R. A., Curtis, J. R., & Nelson, J. E. (2014). The changing role of palliative care in the ICU. Critical care medicine, 42(11), 2418.
Bhatnagar, S., & Joshi, S. (2011). Palliative care of young adults: An issue which needs higher and better awareness. Indian journal of palliative care, 17(3), 173.
Haley, C., & Daley, J. (2013). Palliation in chronic illness. Chronic illness and disability: Principles for nursing practice,, 232-248.
Joint Position Statement. (2015). The palliative approach to care and the role of the nurse. Retrieved from http://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/the-palliative-approach-to-care-and-the-role-of-the-nurse_e.pdf
Palliative care NSW. (2012). Palliative Care NSW Policy Statement Discussion Paper. Retrieved from https://palliativecarensw.org.au/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/PCNSW_Policay_Statement_Discussion_Paper.pdf
