5 Summary
Congratulations – now that you have completed section 4 you have reached the end of this course.
Transcript
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking this course, and to say congratulations and well done for reaching this stage. It is now time to recap on what you have learned.
Firstly, we looked at the definitions and principles of palliative and end of life care, and the importance of applying these principles early in the condition’s trajectory. We also considered the challenges of predicting end of life in Parkinson’s, and the possible methods of overcoming these challenges. We discussed advance care planning, and how it is central to holistic, person-centred care, and includes decisions about end of life care, which are important to the client, and their family or carers. The course covered the indicators that show us when a person with Parkinson’s is nearing the end of life, and demonstrated that there needs to be a frequent review of their care needs, and of those closest to them. We discussed in greater detail the physical, social, spiritual and psychological aspects of the end of life care. Lastly, we identified the carer/family role and their needs during this phase, and the importance of supporting them through to bereavement.
It is now time to reflect on what you have learned. Think about your previous experience of caring for a client of Parkinson’s and the end of life phase. Think about your practise in the past. You will have had time during this course to reflect on this. Would you have done things differently, if you had known what you know now? How will you improve your practise in the future?
This section is also a review of what you have learned so far. As you worked through the course, you took a quiz at the end of each section. It is now time to take a quiz that will cover the whole course. Then, you will be able to claim your badge that demonstrates what you have learned. It is also important to think about your reflective exercises as you have gone through the course. You may be able to use your log in the future for further learning, or just to enhance your practise as time goes on.
We will end with a quote from Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the hospice movement, which summarises the aim of palliative and end of life care:
“You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life and we will do all we can to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”
4.9 Summary of section 4