The Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Public Health at LGU organized a conference entitled “Home Hospice” at its campus in Sahel Alma on May 31st, 2013 in the presence of a significant number of heads of nursing departments in various hospitals and medical centers as well as doctors and nurses and a host of Faculty staff and students.

Dr. Faouzi Adaimi, President of LGU, welcomed the audience then went on explaining the importance of pain for terminally-ill patients as it is often accompanied by nausea, changes in various vital signs, and emotional arousal.

Dr. Paul Makhlouf, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, discussed the role of the nurse who is always present at the patient’s bedside throughout his illness and who is constantly striving to alleviate his pain and ensure his comfort.

Dr. Salam Jalloul, a geriatrician, talked about specific home care relating to the elderly that aims to provide them with quality life by meeting their physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. Care is usually provided to aged people suffering from cancer, heart problems, or Alzheimer, knowing that such patients require special attention as they are often unable to express their emotions or talk about their pain.

Mrs. Marie Claire Mouhawej, a nurse specialized in home hospice, talked about the nurse’s job to alleviate pain and reduce the consequences of the disease rather than prolong or shorten life. Such a role could be achieved through providing various health measures and constant moral support that would help the patient pursue his normal life as long as possible.

In turn, Mr. Richard Abi Zeid, a physical therapist, discussed the importance of preserving the patient’s physical strength and his muscles and joints flexibility through specific massage sessions that would help him maintain his mobility and bone mass.

Dr. Gladys Gemayel, hematologist and pediatric oncologist, shed some lights on the importance of alleviating the patient’s pain, explaining the various degrees of pain that he might feel and the specific pain relievers that should be administered, especially morphine in severe cases.

Dr. Georges Mouarbes, a pharmacologist, spoke about the need for nurses to know about the various medication prescribed to terminally ill patients in order to give them the adequate prescription.

Psychologist Rita El-Hajj discussed the importance of helping the patients accept their condition and look positively to the treatment process.

Dr. Michel Ashkar, gastroenterologist, talked about the various medical exams that help determine the patient’s specific diet and how food should be provided to him.

Father Charbel Chlela ended up with a talk about the need for spiritual guidance that should be provided to the patient in a manner that fits his physical and emotional condition and that does not put pressure on him but rather help him express his feelings and assist the family to adapt to the situation.