Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual
32
PHYSICAL ISSUES AND SUPPORT,
INCLUDING PAIN AND SYMPTOM
MANAGEMENT
WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE
DYING?
In our society, people don't want to talk about life-limiting illnesses
or death – largely because we fear dying. Some illnesses, particularly
HIV/AIDS, are highly stigmatized which can lead to fear and
discrimination. Even though cancer is a more socially acceptable
disease, people are often reluctant to let people know that they or a
loved one has cancer. Volunteers can help fight fear, ignorance and
stigma by being informed about different illnesses.
The most common life-limiting illnesses seen in palliative care are:
• Cancer
• Progressive neurological conditions, such as motor neurone
disease (a progressive wasting and paralysis of the muscles),
dementia including Alzheimer's disease, stroke or other cerebral
vascular injury, and multiple sclerosis
• End stage organ failure, such as lung diseases, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), progressive heart
disease and renal failure
People's physical needs will be affected by the illness itself as well as
by side effects of treatments for the illness, such as chemotherapy or
radiation therapy for cancer. Although people who are in palliative
care will likely not be receiving curative treatment, they may still be
receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other treatments to
help relieve their symptoms, prolong their lives and make them as
comfortable as possible. Some may also be participating in clinical
trials or taking complementary or traditional medicines.
