Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 1/2009

Confusion in the palliative care

Palliative care reposes primarily on the treatment of pain and other symptoms causing discomfort and difficulties to patient. Confusion belongs to these symptoms as well. It occurs in patients with advanced disease and in old people. It is a significant issue in dying, which is often underestimated. The confusion, if not treated, is very negative and stressing experience not only for the patient, but also for his relatives and friends. It leaves to family members unpleasant memories of the last hours of the life of beloved person.

Keywords: confusion, terminal uniqueness.