Evaluating the Impact of Palliative Care on Functional Independence and Quality of Life: A Study from Kasaragod, Kerala, India

Abstract

This study examines the impact of palliative care on functional independence and quality of life (QoL) among patients in the resource-limited setting of Kasaragod district, Kerala. It addresses the critical issue of optimizing palliative interventions to enhance functional capabilities and QoL for individuals with complex health conditions. Using primary data from structured interviews conducted at the Akkara Foundation, a non-profit organization, the functional independence of 30 patients was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM™), which evaluates motor and cognitive functions. The findings reveal significant improvements in physical independence, with 25 out of 30 patients showing measurable gains. Early intervention, particularly for those with lower baseline FIM™ scores, was instrumental in enhancing outcomes. However, a few patients, including Respondent 6, experienced slight declines in total FIM™ scores (72 to 70), indicating that the progression of complex conditions may limit the efficacy of palliative interventions.While cognitive improvements were observed, they were less pronounced than the gains in motor function, highlighting the complexity involved in addressing cognitive impairments within palliative care settings.Old age emerged as the leading cause of illness (36.7%), underscoring the growing need for palliative care to manage age-related complications and comorbidities, alongside increasing age- and lifestyle-related conditions. Overall, this research affirms the importance of early, comprehensive palliative care strategies in enhancing patient outcomes and QoL, while highlighting the necessity for ongoing research and adaptive approaches to meet the evolving needs of diverse patient populations.