Death, Dying and Social Differences

Covers the extent to which specialist palliative care services are accessible to different social groups and the ways of working with difference within such services. This book brings together an international group of expert contributors from multi-disciplinary backgrounds to provide the knowledge.

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"Death, Dying and Social Differences" addresses the importance of care of dying people in their social context. It focuses on the much neglected area of the social aspects of death and dying. It highlights the key ways that health and social care professionals who provide end of life care can cater for those from a variety of social circumstances and communities. It speaks about best professional practice that can balance the inequalities in society's structures and what that means for the dying and their carers. A first of its kind, the twelve chapters by leaders in their fields, are aimed at clinicians and practitioners from all disciplines, policy-makers and managers who are committed to palliative and good end of life care for all. A multi-professional and case-based approach underpins the principles and practices of innovative care.
The book considers the differences in the palliative care of people with advanced cancer and other life threatening conditions, related to poverty, social class, gender, sexuality, age, ethnicity and religion, as well as the circumstances of patients and carers who have disabilities, experience psychiatric illness, are refugees, are subject to abuse or who are prisoners. It uncovers 'disadvantaged dying' and suggests appropriate responses. The physical, spiritual, psychological and holistic aspects of care are largely shaped by and intertwined with a person's environment and social experiences. The book unpacks this essential ingredient of care of the very ill and bereaved and those close to them. Although death can be a great leveller, it can also highlight great differences in the quality of the experience. This book offers a key to upholding maximum human dignity for dying people and those they leave behind.