International Rural Aging Project

Invited Symposia

Palliative Medicine and the Rural Elderly

Supported by Genesis ElderCare

Convener: Howard S. Tuch
Director, Palliative Care Services, Genesis ElderCare

Date Friday, June 9
Time 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location Parlor C, Civic Center

Abstract
The World Health Organization has defined palliative care as "the active total care of patients with whose disease is no longer responsive to curative treatment. Control of pain, other symptoms and of psychological, social and spiritual problems is paramount". Palliative care is being framed as an active set of interventions designed both to meet the unique needs of the dying, as well as a set of approaches to be integrated into all aspects of routine medical care. Thus, the principles and priorities of palliative care will apply in some measure, from the time of diagnosis of serious illness to the final moments of life.

Palliative medicine has grown from its roots in hospice care and from medicine’s traditional focus on the relief of suffering. In the US, the unique health care and policy concerns of the dying are just now beginning to be addressed in a serious way. We do know, however, that age and cognitive impairment are major risk factors for inadequate pain management. Our understanding of the social and bereavement needs of elderly patients nearing death remains poor. Services designed to meet these needs are not well developed in rural areas.In this symposia, we will discuss the principles of palliative care and effective pain management. The need to include end-of-life care in the overall context of discussions of quality of life will be emphasized. The potential contributions of palliative care programs to meet important needs of the rural elderly facing life’s end will be discussed.

Continuing Education Credits
WV Social Work: 1.5 hrs
WV Psych: 1.5 hrs
1.5 AMA Category 1 CME