‘How people die remains in the memory of those

who live on’

Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the Modern Hospice Movement

July 2008

 from the NHS End of Life Care Strategy

"Around half a million people die in England each year, of whom almost :

1. Two thirds are aged over 75. The large majority of deaths at the start of the 21st century follow a period of chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic respiratory disease, neurological disease or dementia. Most deaths (58%) occur in NHS hospitals, with around 18% occurring at home, 17% in care homes, 4% in hospices and 3% elsewhere.

 

2. The demographics of death in relation to age profile, cause of death and place of death have changed radically over the course of the past century. Around 1900 most people died in their own homes. At that time acute infections were a much more common cause of death and a far higher proportion of all deaths occurred in childhood or early adult life.

 

 

3. With these changes, familiarity with death within society as a whole has decreased. Many people nowadays do not experience the death of someone close to them until they are well into midlife. Many have not seen a dead body, except on television. As a society we do not discuss death and dying openly.

4. Although every individual may have a different idea about what would, for

them, constitute a ‘good death’, for many this would involve:

_ Being treated as an individual, with dignity and respect;

_ Being without pain and other symptoms;

_ Being in familiar surroundings; and

_ Being in the company of close family and/or friends.

5. Some people do indeed die as they would have wished, but many others do not. Some people experience excellent care in hospitals, hospices, care homes and in their own homes. But the reality is that many do not.

6. How we care for the dying is an indicator of how we care for all sick and vulnerable people. It is a measure of society as a whole and it is a litmus test for health and social care services. 

7. In the past, the profile of end of life care within the NHS and social care services has been relatively low. Reflecting this, the quality of care delivered has been very variable. Implementation of this strategy will make a step change in access to high quality care for all people approaching the end of life. This should be irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, diagnosis or socioeconomic deprivation. High quality care should be available wherever the person may be: at home, in a care

home, in hospital, in a hospice or elsewhere."

By promoting public awareness about the issues of death and dying we can begin to implement great change not only by diminshing the taboo of death, but by giving those who are dying and their care giver tools to ease transition and to

facilitate a dignified death.

The Dignified Dying Approach is an end of life care resource suited for professionals, and the general public.  Raising the awareness of the dying persons needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually and how those needs can be met in the most appropriate way.