Book: Introduction : Principles of palliative care

There are a number of important principles associated with palliative care. These include the following:

Affirms life and regards death as a normal process
Neither hastens or postpones death
Provides care that is person-centred and focused on the whole person
Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
Offers a support system to help individuals live as actively as possible until death
Promotes quality of life and choice for the individual and family
Offers a support system to help families cope during the person’s illness and during their own bereavement
Values and promotes interdisciplinary team-working