Home Based Palliative CareCatholic AIDS Action currently has over 2,000 trained volunteers providing services for over 6,700 HIV positive clients and their family members and support systems. The philosophy of Catholic AIDS Action is rooted in a client-centered approach that seeks to build on existing resources within the family and community at large. Support often includes counselling and emotional or spiritual support, practical assistance with household chores such as cooking and cleaning, encouragement to “live positively” through good nutrition with locally available foods, talking openly about one’s HIV status, and preventing the infection’s further spread. Referrals for medical treatment are made in coordination with local government and religious health institutions. Home based palliative care volunteers receive 84 hours of training and education and are then supervised on a monthly basis by Catholic AIDS Action staff. Catholic AIDS Action volunteers are now providing a key role for individuals enrolled in anti-retroviral treatment programs, providing support for patients for medication adherence and compliance. Volunteers are also daily in their communities providing awareness information and education and working to decrease stigma and discrimination toward people living with AIDS and HIV. INTRODUCTION OF PALLIATIVE CARE INTO EXISTING HOME BASED CARE
The CAA project, integrating true palliative care into CAA's existing
system of home based care service delivery continues with technical
support from the African Palliative Care Association (APCA).
This project is now successfully being implemented at seven
regional offices (Anamulenge, Rehoboth, Gobabis, Rundu, Oshikuku, and
Katima Mulilo and Keetmanshoop) or 96 service sites (volunteer groups)
throughout
APCA has provided direct technical assistance and support visits to pilot sites, as well as the staff at the national office.
The supervision and support address program quality issues,
gathering of MER data for impact evaluation and the plans for
continued expansion of this intervention.
During September, a specific new monitoring tool for CAA
palliative care nurses was developed and this will be implemented
during the coming quarter.
This tool will assist CAA in more effective and efficient use
of the nurses.
Integrating palliative care within CAA's existing home based care
service delivery has dramatically increased the quality of care.
There have been increased referrals to and from facility-based
services (hospitals and clinics), more timely and efficient
identification and treatment of opportunistic infections, including
tuberculosis, improved pain assessment and pain management, improved
integration of family and caregivers into the care and support of the
identified patient, and improved psychosocial support provided by the
volunteers, particularly with discussing issues of death and dying.
CAA has now received a draft MOU with the Ministry of Health and
Social Services. This
will work to formalize the relationship and facilitate the referrals
and services between community based and facility based programs.  Home visit
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