Palliative care is the care offered to individuals suffering from serious or life-long illnesses. It aims at enhancing their comfort and quality of life by not considering any age-related or level-of-illness-based barrier.
In this blog post, we will be discussing what palliative care is, and how it can help.
What Is Palliative Care?
It is special medical care for those having serious illnesses, focusing on the reduction of pain and management of other symptoms in conjunction with the proper emotional and spiritual support. The care supports both the patient’s improvement and supports the families involved.
Who Needs Palliative Care?
The clients have a serious medical condition, be it cancer or heart disease and long-term respiratory distress. It does not only reach out to end-of-life individuals. In reality, it improves the quality of life of its patients even if they are already undergoing treatments that target their ailments.
Why Do Patients Need Palliative Care?
Palliative care assists with the following functions:
- Pain and discomfort are controlled.
- Deal with emotional tension and grief
- Plan for your future health care.
- Remain in comfortable settings, such as their home, hospice, or hospital.
- Support their families.
When to Initiate Palliative Care?
Palliative care should be initiated as soon as a person is diagnosed with a serious illness. Early care helps patients and families better manage symptoms and make important decisions.
How Does Palliative Care Work?
A palliative care team consists of doctors, nurses, social workers, and counsellors. They:
- Discuss the wishes and needs of the patients and families.
- Medications and therapies for relief from pain.
- Support for daily activities and living and other arrangements.
- Emotional and spiritual support.
Common Questions About Palliative Care
Is Palliative Care Just for Dying?
No, palliative care is for all persons suffering from serious illnesses. It helps people to feel better and live well with their illness at any stage.
Can I have care at home?
Yes, most palliative care is done at home. Doctors and nurses can come in or out to see the patient as often as needed and provide home care. Discuss the possibility with your doctor.
What if I need special equipment at my home?
Palliative care teams can assist families in setting up equipment such as hospital beds or oxygen machines. They can also train family members on how to use those tools.
Does Palliative Care Help Families?
Yes, even palliative care helps the family in the following ways:
- How to manage their dear one.
- Help them cope with stress and sadness.
- Grief counselling after the death of a loved one.
How Do I Get Started With Palliative Care?
Talk to your doctor about palliative care. They can guide you to the right resources and connect you with a care team.
Where Is Palliative Care Provided?
Palliative care can be given in various settings, for example:
Home: Most people prefer to stay at home. Doctors or nurses visit to provide care.
Hospice: A hospice is a place where people receive 24/7 care and comfort.
Hospital: Many hospitals offer palliative care to patients who need it.
How Does Palliative Care Support Families?
Palliative care lightens the burden on families. It supports them in the following ways:
- To know the condition of the patient
- To make decisions about the treatment and care plans
- Emotional and practical support
- Role of Advanced Care Planning
Advanced care planning involves talking and recording discussions about the kind of care a patient will want in the future. It enables the palliative care team and other family members to honour the wishes of the patient.
Why Should Families Discuss Palliative Care?
Doctors sometimes are not keen on introducing the concept of palliative care. Families should not shy away and ask about it. The earlier the time, the better the support and care will be.
- Resources for Palliative Care
Useful resources can be located in organisations such as Hospice Palliative Care Ontario or the Alzheimer Society, which can help them plan and understand better.
Benefits of Palliative Care
- Better Pain Management: Patients feel comfortable.
- A Source of Emotional Support: They learn to deal with stress.
- Improves Quality of Life: Patients learn they can have joy in their illness.
- Help the family to reduce the burden and feel prepared.
- Calms the patient-family unit, allowing them to bond.
Bottom Line
Palliative care makes a big difference in the lives of patients with serious illnesses. It makes them feel comfortable, supports their families, and improves their quality of life. If you or your loved one needs palliative care, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about it. Early care can make all the difference.
