Ebook: End of Life Care in Neurological Disease

As end of life care is extended to more and more people it is increasingly important that people with progressive neurological disease are recognised as having particular issues as their disease progresses. This group of people with advancing motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple systems atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington’s disease and other progressive neurological disease face increasing problems – with physical symptoms and psychosocial and spiritual issues for both themselves and their families and carers. This book encourages health and social care professionals to become closely involved in the care of these people and their families, so that advance care plans can be started and quality of life maintained. This book addresses the principles and practice of developing end of life care strategies for neurological disease, written with a clinical, multidisciplinary focus and illustrated with detailed case studies.

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People with advancing neurological disease face increasing physical symptoms, along with psychosocial and spiritual issues affecting both themselves and their families and carers. There is increasing awareness that the end of life in neurological disease can be anticipated and recognised, taking into account certain key features of disease progression, and the associated issues can be addressed. The individual can prepare for future changes in their health, and be in a stronger position to influence or direct the care they receive.

End of Life Care in Neurological Disease encourages health and social care professionals to become closely involved in the care of these people and their families, to maintain and maximise quality of life and plan ahead. This book addresses the principles and practice of end of life care for neurological disease, is written with a clinical, multidisciplinary focus, and is enriched with detailed case studies.

This book is an accessible text for the multidisciplinary team in specialist palliative care, and will also be of interest to healthcare professionals in neurological services, including neurologists and neurology specialist nurses, rehabilitation services, general practitioners and community nurses. As care professionals, we are in a powerful position to help those who are living with advanced neurological disease and improve their quality of life and death.