Different types of care are available for different types of needs. Transitional care may include management of the patient's medical condition and rehabilitation, plus supportive services to ensure basic needs such as comfort, hygiene, safety, and nutrition. It may also include supportive services for educational, social, spiritual, and financial needs. The following is a list of some of the care options that meet the assessed needs of patients during transition:

Place of care

• Hospital.
• Nursing home.
• Rehabilitation unit or facility.
• Patient's home.
• Home of family caregiver.
• Hospice.
  • May be in an inpatient setting specified by the hospice or in the patient's home.
  (See the PDQ summary on Last Days of Life ¹ for more information.)

Caregivers

Health care specialists and other caregivers work as a team, providing services to patients in their homes, clinics, and other settings. These may include the following:

• Doctor.
• Nurse.
• Dietitian.
• Physical therapist.
• Occupational therapist.
• Social worker.
• Mental health professional.
• Clergy or other religious leader.
• Companions.
• Home care aides.

Programs that provide care may include the following:

• Bereavement programs.
• Community support groups.
• Employment counseling agencies.
• Home health agencies.
• Home infusion agencies.
• Hospice programs.
• Legal aid organizations.
• Palliative care programs.

Medication support

• Pain and symptom management. (See the PDQ summary on Pain ² for more information.)
• Chemotherapy.
• Blood transfusions.
• Medications that cause blood cells to grow and mature.
• Antibiotics (drugs used to treat infections).
• Treatments that help improve or restore lung function.
• Wound and skin care.

Nutrition support

The patient may be able to eat normally or may need supplemental nutrition by mouth, by tubefeeding, or by delivery into a vein. (See the PDQ summary on Nutrition in Cancer Care ³ for more information.)

Special equipment

The type of equipment needed, if any, will depend on the patient's condition. Some commonly needed devices include the following:

• Medical appliances (such as catheters, tubes for drainage, and bags for colostomies).
• Assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, special beds and mattresses).
• Pumps to deliver medication into the body.
• Respirators (machines that help the patient breathe).

Glossary Terms

A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.

A tool that helps a person with a disability to do a certain task. Examples are a cane, wheelchair, scooter, walker, hearing aid, or special bed.

A state of sadness, grief, and mourning after the loss of a loved one.

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

The administration of blood or blood products into a blood vessel.

A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Ordained individuals who perform spiritual and/or religious functions.

An opening into the colon from the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed.

A health professional with special training in nutrition who can help with dietary choices. Also called nutritionist.

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

A program that provides special care for people who are near the end of life and for their families, either at home, in freestanding facilities, or within hospitals.

The science of health, and the practice of cleanliness that promotes good health and well-being.

Invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, or fungi. They can cause a fever and other problems, depending on where the infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense system is strong, it can often fight the germs and prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken the natural defense system.

A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous infusion.

One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.

A person’s overall psychological and emotional condition. Good mental health is a state of well-being in which a person is able to cope with everyday events, think clearly, be responsible, meet challenges, and have good relationships with others.

A health professional trained to care for people who are ill or disabled.

A place that gives care to people who have physical or mental disabilities and need help with activities of daily living (such as taking a bath, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom) but do not need to be in the hospital.

The taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body. Nutrition is a 3-part process. First, food or drink is consumed. Second, the body breaks down the food or drink into nutrients. Third, the nutrients travel through the bloodstream to different parts of the body where they are used as "fuel" and for many other purposes. To give the body proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients.

A health professional trained to help people who are ill or disabled learn to manage their daily activities.

Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment. Also called comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management.

PDQ is an online database developed and maintained by the National Cancer Institute. Designed to make the most current, credible, and accurate cancer information available to health professionals and the public, PDQ contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, complementary and alternative medicine, and supportive care; a registry of cancer clinical trials from around the world; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care. Most of this information, and more specific information about PDQ, can be found on the NCI's Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq. Also called Physician Data Query.

A health professional who teaches exercises and physical activities that help condition muscles and restore strength and movement.

A device that is used to give a controlled amount of a liquid at a specific rate. For example, pumps are used to give drugs (such as chemotherapy or pain medicine) or nutrients.

In medicine, a process to restore mental and/or physical abilities lost to injury or disease, in order to function in a normal or near-normal way.

In medicine, a machine used to help a patient breathe. Also called ventilator.

A professional trained to talk with people and their families about emotional or physical needs, and to find them support services.

Having to do with deep, often religious, feelings and beliefs, including a person’s sense of peace, purpose, connection to others, and beliefs about the meaning of life.

A substance or product that is added to a person’s diet to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. It may include vitamins, minerals, protein, or fat, and may be given by mouth, by tube feeding, or into a vein.

Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of symptom management is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment. Also called comfort care, palliative care, and supportive care.

A type of enteral nutrition (nutrition that is delivered into the digestive system in a liquid form). For tubefeeding, a small tube may be placed through the nose into the stomach or the small intestine. Sometimes it is surgically placed into the stomach or the intestinal tract through an opening made on the outside of the abdomen, depending on how long it will be used. People who are unable to meet their needs with food and beverages alone, and who do not have vomiting or uncontrollable diarrhea may be given tubefeedings. Tubefeeding can be used to add to what a person is able to eat or can be the only source of nutrition.

A break in the skin or other body tissues caused by injury or surgical incision (cut).