Journal of palliative medicine
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As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) are living longer and experience chronic health conditions, there is greater likelihood that direct care workers (DCWs) will need to provide palliative care services. ⋯ The results indicate some intellectual and developmental disability service agencies and DCWs are not equipped to care for PWIDD with palliative care needs, and DCWs try to meet PWIDD palliative care needs through individual efforts and peer support. These findings can inform training development for DCWs, as well as necessary organizational efforts to support DCWs.
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Contact with bereaved caregivers is not standard practice among cancer physicians, and little is known about its impact on caregivers. ⋯ Bereavement contact is well received and may be missed if not provided. These data support integration of bereavement contact into routine supportive care for caregivers.