Support Individuals During the Last Days of Life

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 4
Unit No:
R/650/2173
Credits:
4
Guided learning hours:
30 hours

Aim

SFH035- The purpose of this unit is to provide the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support individuals during the last days of life.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Understand the impact of the last days of life on the individual and others.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1

    Describe psychological effects of the dying phase on the individual and others.

    Individual refers to someone requiring care or support; it will usually mean the person or people supported by the learner.

    Others may include:

    • Team members
    • Other colleagues
    • Those who use or commission their own health or social care services
    • Families, carers and advocates
  • 1.2

    Describe the impact of the last days of life on the relationships between individuals and others.

2

Understand how to respond to common symptoms in the last days of life.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1

    Describe the common signs of approaching death.

  • 2.2

    Explain how to minimise the distress of symptoms related to the last days of life.

  • 2.3

    Describe appropriate comfort measures in the final hours of life.

  • 2.4

    Explain the circumstances when life-prolonging treatment can be stopped or withheld.

  • 2.5

    Identify the signs that death has occurred.

3

Be able to support individuals and others during the last days of life.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1

    Demonstrate ways to enhance an individual’s well-being during the last days of life.

    Ways may include:


    • Managing symptoms: Pharmacological and Non-pharmacological
    • Physical, psychosocial and spiritual care
  • 3.2

    Describe ways to support others during an individual’s last days of life.

  • 3.3

    Work in partnership with others to support the individual’s well-being.

  • 3.4

    Describe how to use resources for care in the last days of life according to agreed ways of working.

    Agreed ways of working will include policies and procedures where these exist; they may be less formally documented with micro-employers.

  • 3.5

    Support others to understand the process following death according to agreed ways of working.

4

Be able to respond to changing needs of an individual during the last days of life.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1

    Explain the importance of following the individual’s advance care plan in the last days of life.

  • 4.2

    Record the changing needs of the individual during the last days of life according to agreed ways of working.

  • 4.3

    Support the individual when their condition changes according to agreed ways of working.

  • 4.4

    Explain the importance of communicating with others during the individual’s last days of life.

5

Be able to work according to national guidelines, local policies and procedures, taking into account preferences and wishes after the death of the individual.

Assessment Criteria

  • 5.1

    Implement actions immediately after a death that respect the individual’s and others preferences and wishes according to agreed ways of working.

    Preferences may be based on:

    • beliefs
    • values
    • culture
  • 5.2

    Provide care for the individual after death according to national guidelines, local policies and procedures.

  • 5.3

    Follow the advance care plan to implement the individual’s preferences and wishes for their after-death care.

  • 5.4

    Follow agreed ways of working relating to prevention and control of infection when caring for and transferring a deceased person.

  • 5.5

    Explain ways to support others immediately following the death of the individual.

6

Be able to manage own feelings in relation to an individual’s dying or death.

Assessment Criteria

  • 6.1

    Identify ways to manage own feelings in relation to an individual’s death.

  • 6.2

    Use sources of support to manage own feelings in relation to an individual’s death.

    Sources of support may include:

    • Formal support
    • Informal support
    • Supervision
    • Within the organisation
    • Beyond the organisation