Beate S, Ewers M, Heveker N; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 528 (abstract no. PO-B36-2356).
Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe (DAH), Berlin, FRG.
ISSUE: To deal with problems occurring during terminal care provided by DAH-associated home nursing services in Germany, particularly concerning support of relatives and suicide as an option. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: In the context of terminal palliative care, holistic care has to include the option of accompanied suicide. The circumstances, in which a decision pro accompanied suicide can be taken has to obey fixed rules. To assure, that all aspects of the patients' request can be accepted, it has to be discussed together with persons of different professions (psychologists, nurses, medicins and social workers) in addition to relatives and friends. RESULTS: In the case of a serious, non-temporary request to commit suicide precautions have to be taken in accordance to the German law. The aspect of self responsible formation of the will to end ones life is crucial and has therefore to be evaluated consentious. For this reason a written patients will should be strived for; this can also regulate all other circumstances of the patients dying process. LESSONS LEARNED: The request for accompanied suicide often decreases, where a dignitive natural dying process at home turns out to be possible and the option of suicide is not neglected by staff. To cope with the dying of a patient in his private surrounding and the assurance, that staff will acknowledge the patients self determination also concerning his way of dying enables much more people to die at home than usually believed.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Depression
- Family
- Germany
- Home Nursing
- Humans
- Palliative Care
- Social Work
- Suicide
- Terminal Care
Other ID:
UI: 102205372
From Meeting Abstracts