The Care Of Elderly, Terminally Ill Oncological Patients In Caregiving Sanitary Residences

A panoramic survey is outlined regarding the care system of terminally ill oncologic patients with particular regard to the elderly. National and international experiences are considered offering a caregiving service out of hospital, in small dwelling centers being able to relieve the sufferings of the last days of life. The caregiving sanitary residences and hospices are inserted in a network of services for the elderly oncological patients, representing an adequate answer for the problems. In those structures there is a need of proper professional sanitary figures and standardized lodgings, which may be of importance in the maintenance of a good quality of life. In addition, this study emphasizes the caregiving activity of the family and the needs of the caregivers, as well as the proper instruction of them through courses of specialization. New figures should be inserted in the hospices, like the volunteers, the animators and spiritual assistants; their help is inevitably necessary to assure a better care during the last days of life. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.