ABSTRACT
The aim of palliative care is to maximise the quality of the person's life. Palliative care is the support of people who are suffering from an illness from which no cure can be anticipated. Where possible, palliative care is delivered where the person wants to be. Usually it can be provided in a combination of: the person's own home; a hospice; a hospital and a nursing home. Many people believe that referral to a hospice, or for assessment by the community palliative care nurse, means that they are about to die. It is important to emphasise the support and specialist knowledge about relief of symptoms, provision of benefits, equipment and access to voluntary and professional help that the palliative care service can provide. Dignity in palliative care involves information and good communication, pain control, alleviation of distressing symptoms and support as well as social care, spiritual care, psychological support and bereavement care.
