Between 2019 and 2025, the EAPS has assisted a total of 9,267 patients and 11,782 family members. In 2025 alone, support was provided to 895 patients and 984 family members, figures that highlight the importance of psychosocial care in the comprehensive management of advanced illnesses.
The EAPS is part of the Program for Comprehensive Care of People with Advanced Illnesses by the "la Caixa" Foundation, established in 2008 to complement healthcare with psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual support. The aim is to address the needs that arise during the illness process and to support healthcare professionals.
The EAPS originated from the experience of the Hospital Residència Sant Camil in palliative care. Over time, it has expanded its scope, working in coordination with the Palliative Care Unit, PADES teams, Nephrology, Chronicity, ICU, and residential centers in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced emotional support amidst isolation situations.
Milestones such as the expansion of care to individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease (2017) and its extension to the residential sector (2021) have marked its evolution. Furthermore, the EAPS has promoted initiatives in teaching, research, and support for caregivers, grief, and volunteering, such as the Espai Fundació "la Caixa" in Garraf, which in 2025 hosted over 700 people with activities like music therapy and active listening sessions, involving 21 volunteers.
This trajectory reflects the CSAPG's care model, based on comprehensive, proximity-based, and person-centered care, which considers emotional well-being and family environment as essential components of health. Collaboration among professionals and services ensures continuity of care.
