Tag Archives: palliative care

February 20, 2022 · 8:00 am

Nutritional options important part of palliative care

I came across an interesting discussion recently about whether Ensure and other nutritional beverages marketed towards older people are really the best option.

The discussion that followed the geriatrician’s perspective included interesting pros and cons. It made me think about my parents’ experience with the beverages. My father had never been a fan of milkshakes or similar beverages, but he seemed to enjoy the Ensure drinks, so I would ship cases of them to the memory care center where he spent the last year of his life. My mother existed on Ensure for the last month or so of her life. I have regrets about that, wishing I had taken time to make her something that she would have enjoyed more.

This is why I’m such a strong believer in expanding inpatient hospice and providing more robust home hospice care. As the sole caregiver for my mother at the end of her life, things like whipping up something delicious for her to eat didn’t cross my mind because I was so busy focusing on the “important” things, like her pain medication, treating her bedsores, etc. While I managed to mainly keep her suffering to a minimum, there was no joy in her final weeks.

Those with dementia may struggle with solid food as they enter the final stages of the disease, so liquid forms of nutrition may become a necessity. Homemade smoothies, puddings and milkshakes may interest those who have grown tired of the commercial products. If you can, consult with a nutrition specialist or dietitian about tasty, safe options for your loved one. Bringing loved ones small moments of joy can also lift the spirits of family caregivers.

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February 19, 2015 · 8:35 am

On being mortal, from a doctor’s perspective

I watched an interesting Frontline special about end-of-life issues, from the perspective of a doctor treating terminally ill patients. The show featured Dr. Atul Gawande, who wrote the book, “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.” The book came out last fall, but I have not had the chance to read it yet. Another one added to my wish list, so many good books, so little time to read them!

being mortal cvr

In the program, Dr. Gawande tracks other doctors and interviews them about their approach to end-of-life care. Because of some negative experiences, I sometimes unfairly assume that the typical doctor’s main goal is to prolong life for as long as possible, quality of life be damned. But this documentary highlights the emotional turmoil that doctors experience when they are forced to tell their patients that medically speaking, there is nothing else to be done and it is time to transition to palliative care. The doctors feel like they’ve failed their patients when they cannot heal them.

Some patients accept the bad news with peaceful resignation, others go into denial, and still others fight the good fight for too long. One of the saddest stories was of a young woman about to give birth who was told she had stage IV lung cancer. She gave birth with a collapsed lung and immediately began a harsh and toxic treatment regimen. Of course one can understand why, she had so much to live for! But her husband now regrets the time she spent so ill from the treatment, which did nothing to extend her life. He wishes they had spent more quality time together as a family.

While somber in nature, the program offered a variety of takes on how to approach end-of-life care. It’s worth checking out. I watched in on the PBS channel on Roku.

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