What is Hospice and Palliative Care ?

It is a philosophy of care that enables people with advanced Cancer, Motor Neuron, End stage diabetes, HIV related illness, or other diseases to regain some control over their lives and to improve and stabilize distressing symptoms.

Hospice care is a special way of caring for those facing a life-threatening illness. Hospice services are characterized by a team-oriented approach that includes expert pain and symptom management, along with emotional and spiritual support tailored to the patient's wishes. 

The most common misunderstanding about hospice is the belief that a hospice is a "place." In fact, most patients receive hospice care in their own home, although it can also be provided in other facilities as well. 

 Palliative {latin, palliatus ,cloaked} mitigating,reducing the severity of, denoting the allevation of symptoms without curing the underlying disease.

Hospice {latin, hospes , a host, a guest} a philosophy of care that provides a centralized a program of palliative and supportive services to dying persons and their families, in the form of physical, psychological, social and spiritual care.

DEAN Foundation is a non-profit Medical Charitable Trust whose prime objective is to provide Palliative care for those suffering from incurable illnesses with competence and compassion and to end unnecessary suffering, indignity and fear. 

DEAN Foundation is a place to go to, when some one you care, is faced with a life threatening illness. It is a special place to go, if you need a friend, or to talk about problems in your life.

Who is eligible for Hospice and Palliative Care ?

Those who are suffering from irreversible, progressive, incurable and terminal diseases.

When does it start ?

Ideally should begin right at the time of diagnosis.

What is the unit of care ? Who benefits ?

The patient and his/her loved ones and family.

What is the medical care provided by DEAN Foundation ?

Treatment plan will be drawn with the focus shifting from curing the disease to a plan focused on providing comfort and pain relief.

Practical, Physical and Emotional support for patients, with limited life expectancy and to help meet physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs without discrimination but with love , acceptance and dignity. 

Special trained staff (consisting of a team of doctor, nurse, social worker/counsellor and volunteers) who work closely with the patient's primary care physician , if necessary, to oversee care and treatment. 

Focus on controlling pain and other distressing symptoms connected with end - stage disease. This includes medications, dressing foul smelling, fungating ulcers, Ryles tube insertion, administration of IV / subcutaneous fluids, Ascitis tapping, bladder wash, catheterization, stoma care, etc. Sponge bath , eye and oral care and perineum care, form an integral part of the routine procedures, to prevent fungal infections and make the patient as comfortable as possible.

Provide patients with hospital cots, water beds, wheel chairs, bed pans, urinals and commodes.

Do you have an inpatient service ? 

We currently do not have our own inpatient facility , except in the Paediatric Department of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in the State Government Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Egmore, Chennai.

Where and how is Palliative Care given By DEAN Foundation ?

Through an Out patient basis and a Home Based Care Programme.

Do you offer Geriatric care at home ?

We do.

Do you provide Home Nurses ?

We do not have our own Home Nursing service round the clock. However, we shall refer you to those institutions who do. 

Are Caregivers trained ?

Caregivers are generally trained to provide a safe, comfortable environment, help with feeding, bathing, turning and giving medications or anything else that they may be called upon to do. They will also be appraised about what medications, therapies, supplies and equipment will be used. Caregivers are also advised to alert DEAN Foundation of any changes in the Patient's condition