Supportive and palliative care at home - Improving quality in end of life care dying at home

Abstract

Today most people fall into a deep sleep and never wake up in hospitals, where they are supposed to receive medical supports, instead of dying in their familiar and beloved home. Even those who choose facilities, such as nursing homes etc, as their last home, may have to move into hospitals before death for several days or even a few hours. Consequently, these terminal care is handled by only the hospital personnel with heavy responsibilities. As medical advances shorten hospital stays the site of death will more be the home. For those who want to go home at the end of their life, there will be more social supports and facilities in their community. © 2009 The Japan Lung Cancer Society.