A new survey has shown that misconceptions about palliative care still exist among the general public.

Palliative care is an approach that aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families who are facing a progressive illness that may limit or shorten their lives. It is not just for the end of life - it can be provided at any time after diagnosis.

As a result, a person may avail of it for months and even years, not just for days and weeks at the end of life.

However, according to the findings of this survey, one-quarter of people would assume they only have days to live if a healthcare professional talked to them about palliative care.

It also found that one-quarter of people would think that their doctor was giving up on them if they talked to them about palliative care.

However, the survey also noted that four in five people would like a healthcare professional to speak to them about palliative care if they had a serious illness and it could help them.

Furthermore, almost two-thirds of respondents understand that palliative care is not just for people with cancer. It is aimed at anyone living with a life-limiting condition, irrespective of their age and stage of illness.

Aisling Keavey from Dublin is receiving palliative care at St Francis Hospice in Dublin. In 2019, she went into hospital with back pain and was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which had also progressed to her spine, resulting in bone cancer as well.

At the hospice, Aisling completed the PEER (Palliative Enablement Exercise and Rehabilitation) programme, which brought her into contact with other patients going through similar experiences.

“We get tremendous help from the hospital and St Francis Hospice. Initially, they came out to the house to explain how they could support me and after lots of phone calls, I went along to get therapy. Then when Covid hit they still kept in contact by phone and Zoom and they introduced me to others via the PEER group course. This has been a great help and support. Palliative care supports have made our lives much easier,” she explained.

According to Sheilagh Reaper-Reynolds, the HSE’s national lead for palliative care, being told that you or a loved one has a life-limiting illness is “devastating”.

“It brings with it feelings of fear, hopelessness and loss. Most people are aware that palliative care improves physical discomfort and pain, however another important aim of palliative care is to encourage us to talk about our feelings and anxieties. This helps ease the mental and emotional distress associated with the diagnosis, which in turn allows us more time to focus on the people and activities that really matter to us,” she noted.

This issue is being highlighted to mark Palliative Care Week 2021, which runs from September 12-18. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Palliative care: It’s more than you think’.

The survey of 1,000 people nationwide was carried out in July 2021.

“Palliative Care Week aims to help people to understand that there is more to this important care than they might realise. This week we would like individuals and families to think about palliative care and how it could help them in the future,” commented Karen Charnley, director of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC).

Palliative Care Week reflects the AIIHPC’s commitment to raising awareness of the positive impact that palliative care can have on the lives of people with serious health conditions. The event also recognises the role of healthcare professionals who, even during a global pandemic, came together to provide palliative care services and support in communities throughout the country.

For more information on Palliative Care Week 2021, click here.