[Thinking about care to enhance its meaning]

Advanced nursing practice is one of the avenues proposed by politicians to meet the new needs of people being cared for in a rapidly changing healthcare system. It is therefore interesting to conceptualize the theoretical foundations of these new practices, in order to reveal their meaning. To do this, we will discuss some of the missions of the advanced practice nurse, whose primary objective is to provide high-quality care. We will then demonstrate that the evolution of nursing care, which allows professionals to deploy their skills and gain in responsibility, is indeed at the service of the cared-for person.

[Touch, an occupational therapy approach to the elderly person]

The hand, a vector of knowledge and understanding of the surrounding world, promotes relationships. For all medico-social professionals, taking care of the hand involves touch, benevolent accompaniment to encourage movement and involvement in the activities of daily life. Touch in the relationship with the elderly person places the occupational therapist in the dynamics of rehabilitation in an interprofessional team. Three facets of touch are described.

[Philosophical approach to quality of life]

Concern for quality of life has arisen from today's radical changes to medical care and the new ways of approaching disease and the patient. It is rooted however in very old philosophical thought on the meaning of human existence and on that of a good life. It shows that the difficulty in establishing a precise definition of quality of life does not mean there is no compelling need for it to be taken into consideration by the caregiving teams or the patients themselves.

[Families' participation in intensive care]

The participation of families in intensive care is a practice which is still insufficiently developed. However, it is something which patients and their families would like to see implemented. The nurses are on the front line in this innovative form of care.

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Practice placements are highlights of student nurses' professional training. They are an important opportunity for students to learn as an extension to the theoretical teachings. Coming at the end of the training, the eight-week practice placement allows students to really immerse themselves in the profession. A student shares her experience discovering palliative care.

[Compassionate care and the nursing home's charter]

The creation of a nursing home for dependent elderly people, disabled people or those with dementia provided an opportunity to reflect on the institute's charter. The main objective was to create a place in which residents and professionals feel good. An inter-professional collaborative approach focusing on the needs and aptitudes of the residents favoured the creation of an ideal climate. Thanks to the commitment of all concerned, the objectives have been achieved.

[The "wine bar", or a different way of caring]

The "wine bar" in the palliative care unit of Clermont-Ferrand general hospital is an example of a different way of providing care. It defends the right of patients at the end of life to treat themselves and others. Acknowledging that life is present right up until the end, patients are invited to drink wine at mealtimes and caregivers are encouraged to learn the basics of oenology.