Palliative Care for Ageing People

Chapter 16: Cancer and Palliative Care

Overview:

• Defines cancer and palliative care
• Discusses differing approaches to palliative care in the community and palliative care agencies
• Outlines the psychological responses to having cancer
• Discusses the aims of palliative care
• Provides opinions and suggestions about palliative care and working together in the community

Description:

This chapter provides a positive insight into palliative care and its varying aims and responses. It also offers suggestions for the carer and community in terms of responding to cancer and other palliative care illnesses affecting the ageing person.

Topics:

• Introduction
• What is palliative care?
• Directional service changes in the community
• How to work together in the community
• Cancer and other palliative care illnesses affecting the ageing person
• The team approach

Speaker / Author:

Gail Hessell

Registered Nurse, Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care (New Zealand), Care Team Manager, Eastern Palliative Care, Melbourne, Victoria.

Gail did her registered nurse training at Auckland Hospital in New Zealand and her postgraduate qualifications in palliative care at Wellington, New Zealand. She had extensive surgical and medical nursing experience in hospitals in New Zealand as well as community-based experience, commencing in 1987 as a Charge Nurse of Community Health Services in Wellington. In 1992 she came to Australia where she has held senior positions at Melbourne City Mission and Melbourne Eastern Palliative Care Service.

At present Gail is a senior executive member at Eastern Palliative Care, with associated portfolio responsibilities and is co-located at the Angliss Hospital in Ferntree Gully, an outer eastern suburb of Melbourne. She is responsible for the leadership, management, and coordination of an integrated interdisciplinary team providing palliative care to community clients. Gail is committed to challenge and to the sharing of specialised knowledge and expertise with mainstream work practices in our changing health environment. She is the proud mother of two supportive children. She believes that through their exposure to her work they have gained sensitivity and understanding in dealing with people’s life challenges.

Professional Reviews: