Throughout December I'm doing a #PalliativeCareAdvent; every day I am going to challenge #misconceptions about #PalliativeCare, #EndOfLife and living with a #LifeLimitingIllness. Some personal, some factual. Do join me!
#Hospice #EOLC #PallMedEd #HPM
lucy-watts.co.uk/palliative-car…
#Hospice #EOLC #PallMedEd #HPM
lucy-watts.co.uk/palliative-car…
Day 1
"#PalliativeCare is only for those who are imminently dying".
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Palliative care can help people throughout their illness, from point of diagnosis. It can help people live well, live longer and focus treatment/care around their wishes.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
"#PalliativeCare is only for those who are imminently dying".
❌
Palliative care can help people throughout their illness, from point of diagnosis. It can help people live well, live longer and focus treatment/care around their wishes.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 2
"#PalliativeCare can only occur in the absence of life-prolonging interventions"
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It can be given during life-prolonging treatment or in the absence of it. It's about quality of life, symptom control, the person's wishes and preparing for the future. #PalliativeCareAdvent
"#PalliativeCare can only occur in the absence of life-prolonging interventions"
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It can be given during life-prolonging treatment or in the absence of it. It's about quality of life, symptom control, the person's wishes and preparing for the future. #PalliativeCareAdvent
Day 3
"End of life conversations remove people's hope"
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They don't remove hope; they allow for the refocussing of that hope onto achieving goals, quality of life, fulfilling wishes, quality time with loved ones and making the most of their remaining time.
#PalliativeCareAdvent
"End of life conversations remove people's hope"
❌
They don't remove hope; they allow for the refocussing of that hope onto achieving goals, quality of life, fulfilling wishes, quality time with loved ones and making the most of their remaining time.
#PalliativeCareAdvent
Day 4
“Death is a failure of medicine”
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Death is a part of life. It’s the one thing we all have in common. Saving lives is vital - but success must also be measured in the end of life care and experience we give to the dying.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #MedEd #EOLC
“Death is a failure of medicine”
❌
Death is a part of life. It’s the one thing we all have in common. Saving lives is vital - but success must also be measured in the end of life care and experience we give to the dying.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #MedEd #EOLC
“Referring people to palliative care is giving up on them”
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Referring to #PalliativeCare transforms patients' lives: symptom control, quality of life, #AdvanceCarePlanning and honest conversations. Don’t delay referral!
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #MedEd #ACP
❌
Referring to #PalliativeCare transforms patients' lives: symptom control, quality of life, #AdvanceCarePlanning and honest conversations. Don’t delay referral!
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #MedEd #ACP
Day 6
“Diagnosis of a life-limiting illness means giving up on life”
❌
You CAN live well with an #LLC. Especially with good #PalliativeCare. I love my life; the best years of my life have been since I’ve been #dying! Different, but not less.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Diagnosis of a life-limiting illness means giving up on life”
❌
You CAN live well with an #LLC. Especially with good #PalliativeCare. I love my life; the best years of my life have been since I’ve been #dying! Different, but not less.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 7
“Hospices are where people go to die”
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People go to a #hospice for many things; #EndOfLifeCare is just one part of #hospicecare.
Hospices aren't only places people go to die - they're where people go to help them live well too.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC
“Hospices are where people go to die”
❌
People go to a #hospice for many things; #EndOfLifeCare is just one part of #hospicecare.
Hospices aren't only places people go to die - they're where people go to help them live well too.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC
Day 8
“#EndOfLifeCare is only relevant to #hospice and #PalliativeCare professionals”
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It is EVERYONE’s business. Every #HCP should be equipped to give good #EOLC. It's your duty to care for your patient throughout life; inc. at end of life
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“#EndOfLifeCare is only relevant to #hospice and #PalliativeCare professionals”
❌
It is EVERYONE’s business. Every #HCP should be equipped to give good #EOLC. It's your duty to care for your patient throughout life; inc. at end of life
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 9
“#AdvanceCarePlanning is a tool for rationing healthcare”
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#ACP allows people to plan their care and outline wishes in advance; to have their voice represented at the decision-making table even if they can't participate at the time.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“#AdvanceCarePlanning is a tool for rationing healthcare”
❌
#ACP allows people to plan their care and outline wishes in advance; to have their voice represented at the decision-making table even if they can't participate at the time.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 10
“Talking about dying will make it happen”
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Talking about #dying won't make you die, as talking about sex won't make you pregnant. However talking about dying and making plans can be the greatest gift you give yourself and your family
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Talking about dying will make it happen”
❌
Talking about #dying won't make you die, as talking about sex won't make you pregnant. However talking about dying and making plans can be the greatest gift you give yourself and your family
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 11
“I don’t need to think about #dying yet”
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We should all think, talk about and plan for our #death - young or old. We’re all one step away from accident, injury or illness. Death doesn’t discriminate, nor does #LifeLimitingIllness.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“I don’t need to think about #dying yet”
❌
We should all think, talk about and plan for our #death - young or old. We’re all one step away from accident, injury or illness. Death doesn’t discriminate, nor does #LifeLimitingIllness.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 12
“Accepting palliative care will make my family think I’m giving up”
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Receiving #PalliativeCare isn't giving up. Help them understand it's about you living life to the fullest and maximising quality of life; no matter your prognosis.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Accepting palliative care will make my family think I’m giving up”
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Receiving #PalliativeCare isn't giving up. Help them understand it's about you living life to the fullest and maximising quality of life; no matter your prognosis.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 13
“Dying is always messy and painful”
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Whilst some deaths are sudden or difficult, many follow a familiar pattern - this can even be narrated to you.
Check out @drkathrynmannix’ video on this subject
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
👇👇
☝️☝️
“Dying is always messy and painful”
❌
Whilst some deaths are sudden or difficult, many follow a familiar pattern - this can even be narrated to you.
Check out @drkathrynmannix’ video on this subject
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
👇👇
https://twitter.com/bbcideas/status/981071417914675200
☝️☝️
Day 14
“#AdvancePlanning is only relevant to the #dying”
❌
It's more than just planning future care. It’s an ongoing conversation & process of documenting & sharing your wishes.
Check out this film & charter:
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #ACP
“#AdvancePlanning is only relevant to the #dying”
❌
It's more than just planning future care. It’s an ongoing conversation & process of documenting & sharing your wishes.
Check out this film & charter:
https://twitter.com/MarieCurieEOLC/status/1337314449875615746?s=20
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #ACP
Day 15
“Palliative Care is only about pain relief”
❌
#PalliativeCare is about support to meet all needs - medical, physical, social, psychological and spiritual. Symptom relief is one part, and any symptom can be addressed, not just #pain.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Palliative Care is only about pain relief”
❌
#PalliativeCare is about support to meet all needs - medical, physical, social, psychological and spiritual. Symptom relief is one part, and any symptom can be addressed, not just #pain.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 16
“Being alive at all costs is the right decision for everyone”
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Choices about care are unique to each of us. #AdvanceCarePlanning is vital to be able to fulfil wishes; we need to know wishes and what quality of life means in advance.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Being alive at all costs is the right decision for everyone”
❌
Choices about care are unique to each of us. #AdvanceCarePlanning is vital to be able to fulfil wishes; we need to know wishes and what quality of life means in advance.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 17
“[Name] lost the fight”
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Battle language can be helpful to some, but if treatment fails/is withdrawn, it can imply people die because they didn't fight hard enough. Use language the person is comfortable with; & respect their choice.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“[Name] lost the fight”
❌
Battle language can be helpful to some, but if treatment fails/is withdrawn, it can imply people die because they didn't fight hard enough. Use language the person is comfortable with; & respect their choice.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 18
“Dying at home is best for everyone”
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Preferred place of death is a personal decision. Some want to die at home, others in a hospice, and some even in hospital. Allow people to choose what's right for them - don't judge their choice.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Dying at home is best for everyone”
❌
Preferred place of death is a personal decision. Some want to die at home, others in a hospice, and some even in hospital. Allow people to choose what's right for them - don't judge their choice.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 19
“Needing stoma bags or feeding tubes is undignified”
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They're not undignified - unless you make them so. They support survival and quality of life.
I love my bags and tubes! I couldn't live my amazing life, nor survive, without them.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Needing stoma bags or feeding tubes is undignified”
❌
They're not undignified - unless you make them so. They support survival and quality of life.
I love my bags and tubes! I couldn't live my amazing life, nor survive, without them.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 20
"Palliative care hastens death"
❌
#PalliativeCare does not hasten death or speed up the dying process. It's about living well until the end, managing symptoms, holistic care and keeping comfortable at end of life.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC #death #dying
"Palliative care hastens death"
❌
#PalliativeCare does not hasten death or speed up the dying process. It's about living well until the end, managing symptoms, holistic care and keeping comfortable at end of life.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC #death #dying
Day 21
"Hospice care can only be delivered in a #hospice building"
❌
#HospiceCare can be delivered wherever the patient needs it: inpatient hospice, day services, hospice-at-home, hospital and outreach to care homes.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC #NotJustABuilding
"Hospice care can only be delivered in a #hospice building"
❌
#HospiceCare can be delivered wherever the patient needs it: inpatient hospice, day services, hospice-at-home, hospital and outreach to care homes.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC #NotJustABuilding
Day 22
“Having help from others means losing your dignity”
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Needing help from others is not undignified. Needing help is something disabled people live with and we live full, active and dignified lives. It's ok to ask for and receive help!
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
“Having help from others means losing your dignity”
❌
Needing help from others is not undignified. Needing help is something disabled people live with and we live full, active and dignified lives. It's ok to ask for and receive help!
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions
Day 23
“Dying is an illness to be cured”
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Everyone who is conceived will one day die. Young or old.
Dying is an inevitability. However, a bad death is not.
#PalliativeCare helps to give people a comfortable end of life experience.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC
“Dying is an illness to be cured”
❌
Everyone who is conceived will one day die. Young or old.
Dying is an inevitability. However, a bad death is not.
#PalliativeCare helps to give people a comfortable end of life experience.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC
Day 24
“#LifeLimitingIllness = unbearable suffering”
❌
With #PalliativeCare, an #LLC doesn't = unbearable suffering. The person with an LLC can be kept comfortable, with quality of life and be supported to have a “good death”.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC #Hospice
“#LifeLimitingIllness = unbearable suffering”
❌
With #PalliativeCare, an #LLC doesn't = unbearable suffering. The person with an LLC can be kept comfortable, with quality of life and be supported to have a “good death”.
#PalliativeCareAdvent #Misconceptions #EOLC #Hospice
Day 25
#PalliativeCare transforms lives. It's why I’m still here 10 years beyond my prognosis and living this amazing life.
On this final #PalliativeCareAdvent post, I say #ThankYou to all involved in delivering #PEOLC/#EOLC - #NHS, #hospices, #staff, #volunteers. Thank you all!
#PalliativeCare transforms lives. It's why I’m still here 10 years beyond my prognosis and living this amazing life.
On this final #PalliativeCareAdvent post, I say #ThankYou to all involved in delivering #PEOLC/#EOLC - #NHS, #hospices, #staff, #volunteers. Thank you all!
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