ABSTRACT
Feeding the terminally ill has strong emotional elements for patients, relatives and doctors. For patients it is symbolic of their ability to survive their illness or gain more time. For their families it is the most basic act of caring and for doctors it is about providing succour and improving the quality of life (Jackson 2000). While the emotional elements of nutrition are very important, it is
11.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 133 11.2 Relevance of Palliative Care in India ................................................................................... 134 11.3 Difšculty of Palliative Care in India .................................................................................... 134
11.3.1 Resource Dešcit ........................................................................................................ 134 11.3.2 Government Policy ................................................................................................... 134 11.3.3 Attitudes of the Medical Fraternity .......................................................................... 134 11.3.4 Lack of Open Communication ................................................................................. 135 11.3.5 Attitudes Towards Hospices ..................................................................................... 135
11.4 Factors Conducive to a Good Palliative Care Model in the Country ................................... 135 11.4.1 Family ....................................................................................................................... 135 11.4.2 Support Structures .................................................................................................... 135 11.4.3 Cancer Epidemiology ............................................................................................... 135 11.4.4 Complementary and Alternate Forms of Medicine .................................................. 136
11.5 Overview of Dietary and Nutritional Practices in India....................................................... 136 11.6 Nutritional Issues in Palliative Care ..................................................................................... 137 Ethical Issues ................................................................................................................................. 141 Summary Points ............................................................................................................................. 142 List of Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... 142 References ...................................................................................................................................... 142
less than a patient of any other reversible illness and a proper assessment and support has dešnite impact on their quality of life.
