DDN June 2023 DDN June_2023 | Page 20

END-OF-LIFE CARE

A DIGNIFIED END

People who are at , or near , the end of their lives deserve to die with dignity , care and compassion . But this is often not the case for people using substances , particularly if they

Compassionate end-of-life care for people using substances has often been sadly lacking , says Sarah Galvani
are homeless too . Many people using substances have few , if any , options about their care towards the end of their lives . The care they receive from some professionals can be poor and their families , friends and carers are left wondering how to cope – usually without adequate information and support .
In 2019 , a team of researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University ( MMU ) started to develop a new approach to care for people using substances – alcohol and other drugs – who were approaching the end of their lives . This was done in partnership with people with lived experience of substance use and loss , through our community partner VoiceBox Inc ., and in partnership with ten social and health care providers in Liverpool and Sefton .
Liverpool is fortunate to have some dedicated professionals working together , particularly for homeless people or people living in hostels . These include
Talking about future plans when we become ill doesn ’ t have to be scary or depressing – we can just focus on the practical .
Some of the resources on the website have information on advance care planning ( ACP ) – something we all should do regardless of age , substance use , ill health or ability . The advantage of ACP is that it gives us the best chance of controlling what happens to us if we become ill , have an accident or there are other circumstances in which we might face life-threatening conditions . It ’ s not complicated but it does mean we need to think about what we might want at the end of our lives . It suggests we consider things like :
• Who would we choose to make decisions about our care if we were unable to ?
• Do we have any fears or worries about our care at the end of our lives ? If so , what are they ?
• Given a choice , where might we want to spend our final days and with whom ? For example , home , hostel , hospital , or perhaps you don ’ t care ( assuming a beach in Barbados is not an option …).
• Is there any type of treatment we wouldn ’ t want ?
• Do we have any spiritual or religious beliefs we ’ d like taken into account ?
• Is there anyone we ’ d like to know if we were ill or dying ?
• Are there practical matters to sort , such as looking after a pet , sorting out belongings or property ?
• Do we want to be resuscitated if our heart stops ?
• What would you like to happen to your body after you die – donated to science , cremation , organ donation , burial ?
• Who do you want to know about these wishes – GP , specialist / consultant , family , friends , colleagues , hostel staff ?
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20 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • JUNE 2023
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