Palliative care delivery: descriptions of community-based services in Vellore, India, and Seattle, Washington

Background: A public health approach to palliative care supports community-dwelling adults with advanced illness. A better understanding of successful community-based palliative care programmes and partnerships is needed to expand community-based services for ageing populations. Aims: This study describes two organisations in two different countries that provide health and social services to community-dwelling adults with advanced illness. Methods: Unstructured key-informant interviews and observational data were collected at the Christian Medical College's College of Nursing Community Health Programme (Vellore, India) and at Phinney Neighborhood Association Village (Seattle, Washington, USA). Findings: College of Nursing Community Health Programme nurses work with volunteer community health workers to identify and provide client-focused support to ensure quality-of-life. The Phinney Neighborhood Association Village is a volunteer-led organisation that provides social support. Both serve community-dwellin...