The National Institutes of Health has just launched a new internet resource tool, called the End of Life Module, on end of life care. The resource provides users with information about the most common issues faced by people nearing the end of life, and their caregivers.
“Few of us are comfortable talking about death, our own or a loved one’s. While such reluctance is natural, it can leave people unprepared and uncertain of where to find answers, especially when they are needed most,” said Patricia A. Grady, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which developed the tool. “Our goal with this module is to help people learn what to expect during the final stage of life so they can plan ahead.”
The End of Life module describes the physical, mental and emotional needs of people nearing the end of life and suggests ways to maintain their quality of life, such as hospice and home care. Other issues include:
- Pain
- Types and places of end-of-life care
- Planning and paying for end-of-life care
- When the end comes
- Coping with grief
- Research efforts
The End of Life module is one of several research tools for older people created by experts at the National Institutes of Health and available at NIHSeniorHealth. Other topics include exercise and physical activity, long-term care, safe use of medicines and management of diseases such as stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
The online modules are designed to be senior friendly and are tailored to the cognitive and visual needs of older people. The modules are all short, easy-to-read, have large print and simple navigation.
