As part of World Palliative Care Days, at the beginning of October, Dac 09 organized a dedicated day in the Chac reception hall. This support and care coordination system is distinguished by its multiple areas of activity, particularly in the field of palliative care.
“Our role is to coordinate care and improve the comfort of patients at the end of life, at home, but also to liaise with the various partners,” says Marie Meler Vidal, doctor coordinator of the dedicated center within the Dac 09. All day long, she, with her partners, welcomed and exchanged with the general public: “Being better informed, playing down the drama, makes the situation less anxiety-provoking. Death, although difficult to approach, is part of life, and it is crucial to disseminate this palliative culture. We take care to organize care to help people at home as part of a global support which also concerns their family, their professional circle, in connection with the. together with other healthcare professionals, we are keen to spread this palliative culture, because it affects us all. In these situations, it is important not to feel isolated.
Support is not limited to medical care. Techniques such as art therapy, sophrology and touch-massage are supportive care that play an essential role. In the hall, André, volunteer coordinator for the “Être Là” association, shares his experience: “We work in hospitals and nursing homes to offer a warm and caring human presence.” Support that is intended for patients but also for caregivers: “It’s important, it feels good.”
Olivier Pontiès, director of Chac, underlined the commitment of his establishment. “All year round, Chac participates in the care of this type of patient in conjunction with the department’s professionals. We have four beds identified for palliative care and we will set up a mobile team from 2025, thanks to the support of the ARS.”
Faced with an aging population, better supporting patients and their loved ones in these delicate moments is becoming a societal issue.
