Dean Foundation Hospice

DEAN Foundation is a non-profit Medical Charitable Trust whose prime objective is to provide Palliative care for those suffering from incurable illnesses with competence and compassion and to end unnecessary suffering, indignity, and fear. DEAN Foundation

DEAN Foundation provides Palliative Care services to the urban poor of Chennai, Coimbatore and Kancheepuram districts. Patients are referred to DEAN Foundation by doctors. They also approach through word of mouth referrals, website and through social media.

Over 80% of the patients are from the lower-income group. With no financial means, terminal illnesses like cancer leave them traumatised both physically and mentally. Cancer patients form about 78% of the total patients treated.

The organisation primarily works in the area of pain relief. Once diagnosed with terminal illness, treatments are gradually stopped and patients are only left with pain management during the rest of their lives. This involves both medicines that are ingested as well as periodic changes in the dressing of the tumours. The family members of the patients are also trained to nurse the patients and administer the medicines as required.

There are two forms of services - Outpatient services and Home Based Care. Out-patient care is for patients who are able to come to the office or have family members who are mobile. Home Based Care is primarily for patients who are immobile. In addition to this, they also work with the Department of Health & Family Welfare and State Health Society, Govt. of Tamil Nadu actively to provide training and create awareness.