Everyone Is Entitled To A Dignified Death, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 23 Apr 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Help the Aged responded to a poll commissioned by charity Dignity in Dying, which found that the prospect of dying alone is feared more than any other aspect of death.*

Paul Cann, Director of Policy at Help the Aged, said:

'Help the Aged believe that however you die, you should be able to do so with dignity.

'Isolation is one of the biggest problems older people in the UK face; it's no surprise that more than a third of us fear a solitary death.

'Help the Aged have long campaigned for older people to be allowed to make informed choices about their own end-of-life care. The Government's end-of-life strategy, expected this June, must ensure that the final period of life is not marred by poor support and a lack of dignity.

'Everyone is entitled to a dignified, comfortable death - with the very best care available. This must become the rule, not the exception.

'More than half of healthcare professionals admit that they would benefit from better training and support to deal with older, dying patients. The Government must make sure this is available to all health and social care staff working with older people.'

More information can be found at http://www.dignityindying.org.uk/

'Right care, Right deal' is the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. With the Government indicating that social care is an urgent political priority, and in advance of the expected green paper later in 2008, the campaign combines three of the UK's largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers, and will urge the government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. Visit http://www.rightcare.org.uk

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life. Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

Help The Aged