Depression and anxiety in palliative care inpatients compared with those receiving palliative care at home.

Objective: This study compared the prevalence of anxiety and depression as measured on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in palliative care patients being treated at home with those being treated as inpatients.

Method: The participants were palliative care patients being treated at home (n = 46) and palliative care inpatients (n = 46). Subjects were assessed for functionality on the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS) and anxiety and depression were measured on the HADS.

Home-based palliative care in Sydney, Australia: the carer's perspective on the provision of informal care.

The provision of home-based palliative care requires a substantial unpaid contribution from family and friends (i.e. informal care).