PALLIATIVE CARE NEEDS AMONG PERSONS WITH NON-CANCER CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND THEIR CARERS

Palliative care has traditionally been limited to persons predictably approaching death, especially those with cancer. The needs of the larger population of older persons with non cancer chronic illnesses and functional impairment in whom prognosis is unrpedictable will be reviewed with special attention to caregiver role, symptom burden, and the mismatch of existing service delivery to the needs of this population.