such as weakness, fatigue, pain, breathlessness, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. He or she will be anxious and fearful, not only about the progress and the outcome of the disease but also about the inability to work, about the changes in physical appearance or about the increasing dependence on others for care.
Family members are also worried. They are not sure that they can provide care. They do not know what to expect as the disease progresses. They are concerned about the financial burden caused by the expense of the treatment and by the loss of patient's income. They are grieving as they face the possible death of the person they love.
THE NEED FOR CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THE PATIENT AND THE FAMILY
Who provides support for the patient and the family when the patient is at home? In most cases the patient is followed up by the cancer specialists who have provided treatment. However, there is little co-ordination between different specialists. Time spent with the physician in the outpatient clinic is short and usually attention is given only to physical problems which are of particular interest to that specialist. Furthermore, it may be several weeks between appointments. During this time symptoms may worsen and new symptoms appear. Finally there comes a time when the patient is too weak and sick to attend the clinic.
The patient and family need palliative care at home. They need care which seeks to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient
