When care continues after goodbye

For families who have spent weeks or months caring for someone with a serious illness, the period after death can feel strangely quiet, particularly after a routine once filled with medication schedules, appointments, difficult conversations and round-the-clock concern.

That was the spirit behind a recent memorial service organised by Assisi Palliative Care (Aspac), which brought together 10 families who had lost loved ones under its care.

Held in conjunction with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Oct 10, the gathering gave families a chance to pause, remember and acknowledge the lives of those who had died, while also reconnecting with the people who had supported them through some of their most difficult moments.

For palliative-care teams, that relationship often goes far beyond managing physical symptoms. Doctors, nurses, counsellors and volunteers often become familiar presences in a household, helping patients remain as comfortable as possible while guiding families through difficult decisions, uncertainty and the emotional strain of serious illness.

Aspac board member Dr Lam Chee Long said better pain management remains an important part of compassionate care.

“Pain affects not just the person, but impacts families, friends and the wellbeing of others,” he said, adding that a wider, coordinated approach was needed to preserve dignity and comfort for people living with serious illness.

Based in Petaling Jaya, Aspac provides hospice-at-home care, which means patients are supported in familiar surroundings rather than having to rely solely on hospital-based treatment.

Its multidisciplinary team works with patients and families to manage symptoms, understand changing needs, and provide medical, psychological and emotional support throughout the course of illness.

That approach can be especially meaningful for families who want a loved one to remain at home for as long as possible, surrounded by familiar people and routines.

It also means that when death eventually comes, the care team is often already part of the family’s story.

The memorial service was, therefore, not simply about looking back: it also created a space for families to acknowledge the grief that remains after the practical demands of caregiving have ended.

Aspac said the service formed part of its commitment to supporting families not only during illness but also through bereavement.

Learn more about Assisi Palliative Care here.

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