Overview

• World Palliative Care Day underscores the 2025 theme of “Keep the Promise: universal access,” framing fresh attention on Spain’s approach.
• Fundación laCaixa’s program operates 65 psychosocial teams nationwide, providing hospital, home and since 2020 residential care to more than 300,000 patients and 385,000 relatives over 17 years.
• Granada’s EAPS at Hospital San Rafael has supported 7,932 patients and 10,381 family members since 2008, expanding into area care homes in 2021 and adding a clinical psychologist.
• Clinicians describe earlier referrals that can run up to two years alongside active treatment, enabling fuller support for conditions such as ALS and advanced Alzheimer’s.
• Pediatric teams emphasize helping children live fully to the end, validating hope and spiritual legacy, with trained volunteers and caregiver self-care deemed essential for sustaining care.