In 1999 the California Catholic bishops launched "Embracing Our Dying," a project to educate and refresh Catholic clergy and parish leaders about the Church's teaching on death and dying; to inform them about the state of medical and palliative care available at the end of life; to apprise them of the legal and ethical realities in the state of California; and to encourage them to involve their parishes in parish ministry and hospice care.

In March 2002, the bishops launched www.embracingourdying.com, a web site to provide information for those who are willing to embrace the dying --- individuals and/or parish communities. The website includes information on death and dying including offering theological, medical and legal perspectives; relevant articles and Church documents; and resources on where to find additional information on hospice and palliative care.

A Vision for Better Care at the End of Life
Palliative care means taking care of the whole person-body, mind, spirit-heart and soul. It looks at dying as something natural and personal. The goal of palliative care is that you have the best quality of life you can have during this time.

Some health care providers --- doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, clergy, and others --- have learned how to give this special kind of care. But all health care providers should know how to give good palliative care or to help you find someone who can. The following Five Principles of Palliative Care describe what care can and should be like for everyone facing the end of life:

1. Palliative care respects the goals, likes, and choices of the dying person. It:
---Respects your needs and wants as well as those of your family and other loved ones.
---Finds out from you who you want to help plan and give you care.
---Helps you understand your illness and what you can expect in the future.
---Helps you figure out what is important.
---Tries to meet your likes and dislikes: where you get health care, where you want to live, and the kinds of services you want.

Helps you work together with your health care provider and health plan to solve problems.

2. Palliative care builds ways to provide excellent care at the end of life. It:
---Knows that dying is an important time for you and your family.
---Offers ways for you to be comfortable and ease pain and other physical discomfort.
---Helps you and your family make needed changes if the illness gets worse.
---Makes sure you are not alone.
---Understands there may be difficulties, fears and painful feelings.
---Gives you a chance to say and do what matters most to you.
---Helps you look back on your life and make peace, even giving you a chance to grow.

3. Palliative care support needs of the family members. It"
---Understands that families and loved ones need help, too.
---Offers support services to family caregivers, such as time off for rest, and advice and support by telephone.
---Knows that caregiving may put some family members at risk of getting sick themselves. It plans for their special needs.
---Finds ways for family members to cope with the costs of caregiving, like loss of income, and other expenses.
---Helps family and loved ones as they grieve.

4. Palliative care helps gain access to needed health care providers and appropriate care settings. It:
--Uses many kinds of trained care providers-doctors, nurses, pharmacists, clergy, social workers, and personal caregivers.
---Makes sure, if necessary, someone is in charge of seeing that your needs are met,
---Helps you use hospitals, home care, hospice, and other services, if needed.
---Tailors options to the needs of you and your family.

5. Palliative care builds ways to provide excellent care at the end of life. It:
---Helps care providers learn about the best ways to care for dying people. It gives them the education and support they need.
---Works to make sure there are good policies and laws in place.
---Seeks funding by private health insurers, health plans and government agencies.

What you can do
You and your family should expect to get good care at the end of life. You can improve that likelihood if you:

---Discuss the care you want with your family, friends, physician and spiritual advisor. Think about important decisions now. Prepare an advance directive and appoint someone to make decisions for you if you are not able. Don't wait until you are seriously ill!

---Learn about your options for care. Find out about local hospice services. Make a list of questions to ask your doctor, to find out whether s/he can provide the care you want at the end of life.

---Check with your local hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies about the special services they offer for dying patients and their families. Are there physicians, nurses, social workers and spiritual counselors trained in end-of life care who can talk to you and your family about your concerns? Do they have experts who can manage pain and other physical discomforts? Do they offer bereavement services?

---Look into community support groups and educational programs for seriously ill patients and their families (often offered by church groups, community centers, libraries and others).

This article is excerpted from www.embracingourdying.com, established by the California Catholic Conference. For more information on "end of life" issues, contact the CCC at (916) 443-4851, Conference@cacatholic.org, or www.cacatholic.org. Information is also available at the websites of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (www.nhpco.org), and the Center to Advance Palliative Care (www.capc.org).