“Death is not a simple end, it’s the victorious full stopping of a journey well spent..”

Health is wealth. And taking care of it starts the day when the fetus starts developing, from a zygote till an old man we pay full attention for our health. Then why not at the end where the journey successfully stops? This is a query that is to be much thought of. And there comes the importance of care of end life. Try to understand death is equally important as life.

The old picture

From the very early times, people have been treated well throughout their life for maintaining good health. But when it comes to the conclusion many are abandoned, not taken care of and considered useless. Nobody tries to understand their feelings. Even hospitals and families are not bothered about them. Neither could someone understand the condition they face nor could they comfort them.

The Changing Scenario

A new beginning was marked by introducing the end of life care policy. This attributes to the attainment of peace at the time of death. This includes not only the dying member but takes into consideration the feelings and conditions of his /her family.

The National Health Services now makes sure that the dying patient gets mental relief and not gets stressed up by fear of what’s next. Many NGO’s and other organizations have come up with this plan. Many charities have proved to be the best too.

Who takes up the responsibility?

This new attempt includes health care professionals, nurses, health assistants etc working together for ensuring a peaceful environment for the end of life care. The family member and the patients themselves are also an important part of this care.

Marie Curie-The perfect model

This is a most suitable example of a charity organization that works at peoples’ homes and communities along with families to make sure that people at the end of their life are supported to be cared for and die in the place of their choice. Not only this, but many others have also come forward with the same conceptual ideas.

A place to die

The place of death is equally important as other choices. People at the verge of death mostly prefer to stay at home because of their innate wish to die at their most blessed place. While almost 58% prefer to die at the hospital because of their belief that it is the safest place. Even when death is expected, medicines and treatment have been discontinued, and the hospitals have nothing left to do, still then the patient prefers to stay there.

What challenges the situation?

The lack of communicative and handling skills, skilled professionals and experienced hands is an indispensable challenge.

What’s Next?

People should be given awareness, more people should be trained and must be taught to handle these conditions. The focus should be given both on handling the patients’ feelings as well as their families.

Always remember life is the most beautiful creation whose beginning and end both proposes an art…..

Written by Ananya Chandra,

 BDS II year,

Manav Rachna Dental College