DEAN Foundation

DEAN Foundation provides palliative care (an area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing suffering of patients) to the elderly and those suffering from incurable, terminal, and advanced diseases like Cancer, AIDS, neurological conditions etc.

The NGO caters to that vulnerable, marginalised section of society that cannot speak or defend for itself - mainly the destitute, the homeless and afflicted women and children, those living below the poverty line receives priority of admission and free treatment. 

Major Interventions:

Outpatient and Hospice Home-Based Care: The focus is on providing practical, physical and emotional support to patients with love, acceptance and dignity. To control pain and other distressing symptoms connected with end - stage disease, services including medications, dressing foul smelling, fungating ulcers, Ryle’s tube insertion, administration of IV / subcutaneous fluids, Ascites tapping, bladder wash, catheterization, stoma care, etc. are provided. Home- based care enables people with chronic illnesses to be cared for at home along with bereavement support to help any suffering for bereaved person through the normal course of their grief by sensitive listening and empathetic support. The patients are encouraged to communicate their feelings and emotions and are spiritually empowered through mediation techniques to regain strength.

Rural Health Care: Resources that are taken for granted in urban settings are scarce in rural settings. Families living with advanced disease in rural communities have unique problems, including geographic isolation and added care giving and financial responsibilities. The Karamadai project provides Home based treatment, informs patients, families and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care and the services that are available, linking community resources, thereby creating compassionate communities. For the Elderly, therapists provide skilled service that achieves the hospice goal of promoting safety, independence, meaning and quality of life, despite the physical and mental decline.

Paediatric Hospice and Palliative Care: Paediatric Palliative Care ward is staffed and managed by DEAN Foundation at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH&HC), Egmore. Children in other specialty wards needing palliative care are also visited and treated by the team. Designated beds foster an appropriate centre of excellence and teaching, keeping Palliative Care in the ‘mainstream’. It enables and facilitates easy access and consultation of specialists from different disciplines.

In addition to conventional medicine, a variety of complementary therapies, such as Ayurveda and Naturopathy, are offered to ease the effects of chronic illness. The organization also focuses on preparing families for the impending loss, offering support during bereavement, and serving as a supportive oasis for the ailing and needy. Through these efforts, it aims to alleviate emotional pain, restore a sense of purpose, and inspire individuals to lead with compassion, contributing to the creation of a caring and healthy community.