End of Life Care: Social Worker's Role in Palliative Care, Euthanasia, and Hospice, Thesis of Management Accounting

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SOCW 6210

End of Life Care Master’s in Social Work, Walden University SOCW 6210: Human Behavior and the Social Environment II End of Life Care Late adulthood is the last segment of the life-span, and although society views late adulthood by chronological age, a person may enter into end-of-life before the age of 65yrs. Social workers can assist individuals in palliative care, euthanasia, and hospice care by demonstrating an understanding of end-of-life care with clients, theory to client situation, grief management, and death education. Palliative Care Social workers play a vital role in agencies that assist patients during the end-of-life care. Palliative care is designed to improve the well-being of terminally ill patients. Zastrow et al. (2019) indicate that palliative care is structured to provide comfort to the patient and family by providing treatment in various aspects. One common aspect of palliative care is medication. Social workers do not prescribe medication but can utilize other remedies to assist the patient, such as active listening or psychosocial, educational, and spiritual counseling. Culturally sensitive spiritual counseling has also assist patient to cope during the end of life care. Meeting the needs of each client on an individual basis is the hallmark of providing top quality care. Rine (2018) indicates that in one study, individuals in palliative and hospice care demonstrated a higher level of acceptance when evidence-based practices such as a person- centered approach were utilized. Individuals in palliative care may focus on the symptoms such as pain or grief associated with dying and can benefit from social workers actively listening to their desires (Chowns, & Richardson, 2016). Also, social workers can utilize grief counseling to assist patients through the process of grief. Before engaging in grief counseling, social workers can demonstrate competency by understanding cultural influences in grief counseling and

spiritual counseling. Zastrow et al. (2019) indicate that grief counseling is a form of psychotherapy that assists patients to cope with cognitive responses to loss. Euthanasia Because of modern-day medicines, sources indicate that people live longer but may endure multiple health concerns. Euthanasia is defined as the practice of ending someone's life who is experiencing severe pain or has an irreversible terminally ill condition. Social workers can assist patients that are at the stage of euthanasia by providing spiritual counseling. Himchak (2011) indicate that social workers can assist patients and families respond to request of assisted suicide by being knowledgeable about state and federal laws surrounding euthanasia in their state of practice, examining their own beliefs and values surrounding assisted suicide, and when applicable utilizing advocacy avenues to ensure that the patient's last directives are adhered to. Hospice Care Hospice care is designed to help individuals enjoy their remaining time in life. Rines (2018) indicates that social workers engage in various roles in the health care setting. Social workers can assist patients that are in hospice care by assisting with last will and directives, ensuring that if the patient wish to return home proper medical equipment and medical services such as prescriptions are delivered, providing grief counseling to the patient and family, and educating the patient and family changes the patient will experience before dying. Zastrow et al. (2019) indicate that social workers should accept the idea of their own death to be effective in providing services for patients in hospice care. Social workers also can demonstrate practical skills by not over-reaching. Zastrow et al. (2019) state that patients have the right not to discuss their emotions surrounding the death. Social workers should answer questions and provide information that is inaccurate. It is better to say “I will check on that and get back to you” than deliver false information. In conclusion, end of life care may become a reality for some before late adulthood. Social workers can assist patients that are in palliative care, euthanasia, and hospice care by

providing evidence-based informed care. Social workers must first accept the reality of their own death to provide effective care to end of life care patients. References Chowns, G., & Richardson, H. (2016). Social Work Practice in End of Life Care. Journal of Social Work Practice, 30(2), 115–120. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1080/02650533.2016. Himchak, M. V. (2011). A Social Justice Value Approach Regarding Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Among the Elderly. Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, 8(1), 57–

Rine, C. M. (2018). Is Social Work Prepared for Diversity in Hospice and Palliative Care? Health & Social Work, 43(1), 41–50. https://doi- org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1093/hsw/hlx Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.