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Research report 18-/18+

For many parents and young people, turning 18 with a life-shortening or life-threatening illness can be summarized in 2 words: fear and uncertainty. Lots of uncertainty.


Research report 18-/18+

Research report

Not only the organization of care and trusted relationships with doctors and other professionals change from one day to the next, the funding and financing and access to care are also changing. And the fact that a young person turns 18 means for many organizations and institutions that a young person is considered legally adult from one day to the next, without taking into account the personal situation and capacities of young people. Emotional and physical changes are also increasing and that in turn has a lot of significance for the care of young people by parents. In short, everything comes to an end.

There is therefore a major task for all of us and as a society to make the undiscussable negotiable. The researchers found parents who clearly feel the need to discuss ethical questions and moral dilemmas. With their environment and with care providers. These parents receive little or no response, but they genuinely and rightly feel the need to share their experiences and discuss questions and dilemmas. That is why the researchers have added a number of poignant statements from parents in a separate chapter with a clear appeal. A lot is going well, but there is still a lot that can really be improved.

Recommendations

In the report, the researchers describe the problems that young people with a life-shortening or life-threatening illness face when they reach the age of 18. From the perspective of young people and parents, the researchers provide insight into what the provision of care for seriously ill young people entails and provide an overview of the (system) bottlenecks in organizing and financing care and support during and after the transition to the age of 18. year of life. The report formulates 10 recommendations, which form a guideline for better care and support and a better quality of life for young people with an incurable disease.