PSY Forum Events

Reported by Afreen Kolachalil (III BA)

On the 31st of August 2024, twenty seven III BA students of Psychology along with their teachers namely Dr. Sandra Sunitha Lobo and Fr. Rohan Dias, visited the Ave Maria Hospice and Palliative Care Centre, Vamanjoor, Mangaluru at 10 am. Fr. Rohan Dias introduced Dr. Lavina Noronha, the Director, who then addressed us and gave us an insight into what palliative care is, and the support it provides to patients and their loved ones alike.

We often hear that it's crucial to live each day as if it were our last, but for some, that is their reality. The centre usually houses terminally ill patients who have less than 6 months to live – when there is no hope to lengthen their lifespan further. These include individuals who have completed treatment but have not been cured, those in the last stages of cancer, kidney failure etc. Dr. Lavina spoke about how essential it is to tell these patients the truth – that they were dying. They aim to prepare them for it, rather than shy away from the word, like we often do. A procedure is followed for breaking the news, depending on the patient’s psychological capacity. Some people face the news with resilience and acceptance, while others may deny the reality of their incurable illness until confronted with undeniable physical evidence. It is also possible to experience death anxiety, or thanatophobia, which is a natural response that counselors help patients navigate.

In palliative care, not only are their medical and physical needs met, but they are also cared holistically. They cater to the patient’s emotional, social, and spiritual needs as well. Dr. Lavina emphasized the importance of allowing patients to express themselves and take care of regrets before it is too late. She touched upon the topic of ‘Unfinished Business’ which refers not to the bills we need to pay or the purchases we need to make, but to the experiences we need to process. People at this time don’t have material regrets, but rather regrets regarding relationships, apologies and thank-you’s left unsaid, and not communicating their feelings properly when it mattered the most. Some wished they were better parents, better spouses, and better children, and to alleviate the pain of holding these regrets, the staff at the centre often try to get in touch with families and friends and request them to visit the patients and spend some time with them in these final days. Their goal is to help patients progress on their journey with a sense of peace.

The youngest patient at the palliative care centre was 4 years old, with the oldest being 99. Most patients have lifestyle-related cancers that are preventable. Patients with cancer often experience significant pain, which is typically managed with medication. Social workers also ask about how the patient would like their funeral to be conducted and help take care of any legal needs as well. They are not charged anything for their stay, although donations are accepted.

When asked how the staff cope with the frequent occurrence of deaths, Dr. Lavina mentioned that they hold group meetings where nurses and social workers discuss the patients who have passed away and their experiences caring for them. Recreational activities are also conducted for the staff like picnics and games, to withdraw from the intensity of their work for a while. Contrary to popular belief, working in such situations requires more than a hardened demeanor. To genuinely support patients, it's crucial to empathize with and share in their pain. One can never get used to death or pain, what is required is to take a step back and think about the bigger picture.

Finally, Kushi Valke thanked Dr. Lavina Noronha for her time and enlightening all about the levity of their work at the palliative care centre. A group of students performed a medley of songs and games for a few patients. Some of the patients participated enthusiastically and sang songs too. A poem was read out by Mahed Sadia and gifts were distributed as well. Qué será, será meaning “whatever will be, will be” was sung by Dr. Lavina Noronha. Thereafter, students had a one-on-one interaction with the Director.

Hospice care is essential for providing compassionate support and comfort to terminally ill patients, ensuring their dignity and quality of life. It also offers crucial support to families, helping them navigate the challenges of end-of-life care. The students left the centre feeling overwhelmed. At the end of the visit, a few students stepped forward to volunteer at the centre too. The inmates were particularly happy with the beats of the clapbox used and they decided on the spot that they would sponsor a clapbox for the centre. The extension field-based visit ended at 12:35 p.m.