End of life care: what matters to the person who's dying

What is the video about?

A palliative care specialist nurse from St Joseph’s Hospice, London, defines holistic assessment as an on-going process involving the physical, social, psychological and spiritual care of a person at the end of life. Through an interview with a woman with a chronic health condition, holistic assessment is shown working in practice; we see how she is supported to develop a plan which states her wishes about her end of life care. This provides clarity for the family of the person as well as her health and social care team. There is also an interview with a woman who was initially reluctant to make plans about her end of life care but, with the help of a social worker, has now done so and feels more confident and in control because she feels supported. 

Messages for practice

1. Holistic assessment is about the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of a person at the end of life.
2. Holistic assessment can result in a plan which records the wishes and decisions of a person at the end of life. This may be useful for family and everyone involved in their care.
3. Holistic assessment is an ongoing process which can be updated and changed as the person’s choices and preferences change.
4. The process of making a holistic assessment may increase the confidence and trust of a person at the end of life.

Who will find this useful?

Those providing front line care and those managing or training staff working in a range of care settings