Admin PPCS Stories from the Heart

“Heartfelt Gratitude for Your Compassionate Care”

Testimonial from a patient’s family

My deepest gratitude for the exceptional care and support provided to my beloved wife, Ong Mee Fong, during her time in palliative care. A special mention and appreciation for Palliative Care Nurse Joanne and Medical Director, Dato Dr Ziaudin Ahamed for making the home visit.

Your team’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and professionalism made an immense difference during a profoundly challenging time for our family. From the moment we entered your care, we were met with kindness and empathy that eased our burdens and provided much-needed comfort.

Your attentive and personalized care ensured that Mee Fong’s final days were filled with dignity and peace. The genuine concern and gentle touch with which you attended to her needs brought solace not only to her but also to our entire family. Your efforts allowed us to focus on spending precious moments together, knowing she was in the best possible hands.

We are eternally grateful for the emotional support, guidance, and compassionate care you extended to us. Your presence brought light to our darkest days, and your dedication to Mee Fong’s well-being will forever be remembered.

Thank you for the extraordinary work you do and for making a lasting impact on our lives.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Sit Wai Yin PJK, Husband of the late Ong Mee Fong

Admin PPCS Education, Events & Activities, News

Navigating Emotional and Psychological Challenges in Palliative Care: Supporting Patients, Families, and Ourselves

On January 21, 2025, Dr. Jasdeep Singh Gill, a Consultant Psychiatrist subspecializing in Psychiatry of Old Age from Hospital Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, delivered an insightful lunchtime talk at the PPCS Multipurpose Hall. The event attracted a diverse audience, including palliative care practitioners from the Manjung Palliative Care Society, general practitioners, PPCS doctors, nurses, volunteers, and committee members. 

Dr. Gill’s presentation focused on the emotional and psychological challenges faced by patients, families, and healthcare providers in palliative care. Drawing on both research findings and his personal experiences, he highlighted the prevalence of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, among palliative care patients. Notably, nearly a quarter of all palliative care patients and half of those with serious illnesses experience these conditions.

He emphasized that mood disorders often manifest as physical symptoms, including fatigue, insomnia, anorexia, and drowsiness, which can lead to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. Dr. Gill advocated for routine screening for mood disorders in patients presenting with multiple physical symptoms, stressing that early intervention is crucial. Untreated mood disorders can amplify bodily sensations, hinder effective symptom management, and potentially lead to secondary psychiatric conditions, such as major depression. 

Dr. Gill also discussed evidence-based approaches to managing these challenges. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has shown promising results in addressing mood disorders in palliative care settings. He recommended a combination of antidepressant medication, supportive psychotherapy, and patient and family education as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Additionally, he highlighted the potential benefits of complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy massage, which have been found useful in some centres, though further research is needed to fully evaluate their efficacy.

The talk underscored the importance of addressing emotional and psychological well-being alongside physical symptoms in palliative care. By doing so, healthcare providers can significantly improve the quality of life for patients and their families while also safeguarding their own emotional resilience in this demanding field. 

Dr. Gill’s presentation was a timely reminder of the holistic approach required in palliative care, emphasizing the need for compassion, early intervention, and multidisciplinary collaboration to navigate the complex emotional and psychological landscape of end-of-life care.

Article contributed by Dr. Ziaudin Ahamed, Medical Director of PPCS.