End of life
End of Life (EOL)
End of life (pronunciation: /ɛnd ɒv laɪf/) is a term used to describe the final stages of an individual's life, where they are approaching death due to a terminal illness or old age.
Etymology
The term "end of life" is derived from the Old English words "endian" (to end) and "lif" (life), literally meaning the conclusion of life.
Definition
End of life is a phase in which an individual is suffering from a terminal illness or is in the natural process of dying due to old age. This phase is characterized by a significant decline in physical and cognitive abilities, requiring comprehensive care and support.
Related Terms
- Palliative Care: A specialized form of medical care for people with serious illnesses, focusing on providing relief from symptoms, pain, and stress.
- Hospice Care: A type of care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs.
- Advance Care Planning: A process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future medical care.
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR): A legal order written either in the hospital or on a legal form to respect the wishes of a patient not to undergo CPR or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) if their heart were to stop or they were to stop breathing.
- Living Will: A written, legal document that spells out medical treatments you would and would not want to be used to keep you alive, as well as your preferences for other medical decisions, such as pain management or organ donation.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on End of life
- Wikipedia's article - End of life
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