care beyond treatment

Fifty four year old Madam T battled multiple medical conditions, including endometrial cancer, diabetes,
hypertension, and morbid obesity. Despite her condition, she was a pillar of strength to her elderly mother until her mother's admission to a nursing home.

"As a filial daughter, she felt that it was her responsibility to care for her mother even though her health was
worsening,” said Senior Medical Social Worker Prabha d/o Techna Miti.

When Madam T was eventually admitted to Sengkang Community Hospital (SKCH), she made a profound decision to cease all treatments, including chemotherapy and dialysis, which she found unbearably distressing. Her choice was rooted in a desire to avoid further suffering, despite the harsh reality of her prognosis.

The SKCH care team then took swift action to honour Madam T’s end-of-life wishes as part of SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH) Wish Fulfilment programme. The programme aims to help palliative patients enhance their quality of life by fulfilling their last wishes before they passed on.

One of the most cherished and heartwarming moments for Madam T was the special visit to see her mother at the nursing home that the care team was able to arrange for her. The opportunity to meet with her mother was a deeply meaningful and emotional experience for both Madam T and the care team.

“We arranged for an ambulance and worked with the medical social worker from the nursing home so that Madam T was able to visit her mother,” shared Prabha. Madam T’s visit went smoothly thanks to careful planning and coordination on both sides. The joy on her face as she hugged her mother was deeply emotional.

“The reunion was a powerful reminder of the importance of honouring and fulfilling such profound wishes,” said Prabha. It highlighted the deep bond between mother and daughter and underscored the significance of creating moments of connection and joy, even in the face of challenging circumstances.

Madam T’s story demonstrates the impact of caring, patient-centred treatment. Our care team’s rapid response, coordinated efforts, and deep respect for individual decisionsresulted in meaningful moments during Madam T’s final days, bringing solace and closure at a time of extreme vulnerability.

Three vital lessons arose out of this experience for Prabha and the care team at SKCH. The first is the importance of acting promptly to fulfil end-of-life wishes. Patients like Madam T, with a limited prognosis, benefit immensely from prompt action to address their final desires and needs.

The second lesson is the importance of collaborative care, as effective symptom management and functional improvements are crucial. Working together, the SKCH healthcare team and the nursing home were able to provide Madam T with a meaningful experience by reuniting her with her mother.

Providing emotional support is an important third lesson, as exploring end-of-life wishes can help patients and their loved ones navigate this challenging period with dignity and compassion. Madam T passed away peacefully in January 2023.

Care Beyond Treatment