Many people are unaware that palliative care can last for years and that this approach also offers support to families, friends and carers, a new survey has shown.

Palliative care is aimed at people whose conditions cannot be cured. The goal is to provide the best quality of life in the time they have left, which can be anything from days to years.

This week is Palliative Care Week and as part of this event, the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) has released the results of a survey, which shows that some people have a poor understanding of this type of care.

According to the findings, 55% of people only had a basic or minimal understanding of what palliative care involves and 35% were unaware that palliative care could be suitable for a number of years. A further 21% were unaware that this approach also offers support to families, friends and carers both during an after an illness.

The AIIHPC is urging people to make themselves more aware of what palliative care actually involves. The survey noted that while it aims to offer physical, emotional, social and spiritual care to people, 70% of respondents identified 'pain management' as the most important part of a good experience of palliative care.

"We are encouraging a greater understanding of how palliative care encompasses the full human needs of each person to enable the best possible quality of life. Palliative care also supports clear and timely communication between patients and health and social care professionals. It places the person at the centre of every decision, helping them to plan for the future and make choices and works together in these choices with families and carers.

"It is very important that pain management is available and effective, but a good palliative care experience integrates all of these elements of care," explained AIIHPC head of institute, Karen Charnley.

She emphasised that palliative care 'can be beneficial for a number of years' as it responds to the differing needs of people.

"We are urging the public to be informed, to discuss and to plan for all of the needs which a child, adult or older person has following diagnosis of an illness that will shorten of limit their life," Ms Charnley added.

The survey involved 1,000 adults nationwide. Palliative Care Week runs from October 3-8. For more information, click here