Over half of Irish adults have a poor understanding of what palliative care involves, a new survey has found.

According to the findings, 55% of adults have only a basic or minimal understanding of palliative care, with 16% of these admitting that they do not understand what is involved at all.

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.

"By focusing on meeting people with life limiting condition's physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs, and involving friends and family, palliative care helps maintain quality of life," explained Karen Charnley, head of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC).

The survey was commissioned by the institute to coincide with Palliative Care Week, which runs in Ireland from October 3-8.

"We want to raise awareness that palliative care can benefit the quality of life of any person with a life-limiting or life-shortening illness. Palliative care puts the individual at the centre of every decision, helping them to make choices and supporting their families and carers. It is very important that the public are well informed and feel comfortable to discuss their concerns beyond the diagnosis of an illness that cannot be cured," Ms Charnley commented.

The survey found that young adults, aged 18-34, were more likely to have a low level of understanding. Some 29% said they had no understanding of what is involved with palliative care at all, compared with 12% of 35-54 year-olds and 4% of people over the age of 55.

The survey involved 1,000 adults nationwide. For more information on palliative care, click here