When facing a serious or life-threatening illness, palliative care services can provide an extra layer of support for you and your family. This approach focuses on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life. It can be provided at any stage of an illness along with curative treatments. Here are some interesting facts about palliative care that you may not be aware of.
1. It’s More Than End-of-Life Care
A common misconception is that palliative care is only for people nearing the end of life. According to the Mesothelioma Center, while 70% of Americans say they know a little bit about hospice, not everyone is aware of this type of care or the benefits of hospice for the patient and their family.
The truth is, palliative care services can benefit anyone with a serious, complex illness like cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s. It’s appropriate at any stage of the disease and can be provided alongside curative treatments. The goal is to improve the quality of life and relieve suffering, so don’t wait until the end stages to ask about palliative care.
2. It Takes a Team Approach
Palliative care utilizes a team approach, coordinating care between the primary doctor and specialists. The team may include palliative care doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, therapists, and chaplains. Together they assess your needs, outline goals, manage symptoms, provide emotional support, and align treatments with your priorities. This comprehensive approach helps ensure all your medical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs are met.
3. Care Can Be Provided Anywhere
While some associate palliative care with hospice or hospital settings, services can actually be provided anywhere you call home. Teams make visits to your house, assisted living facility, or long-term care community. If you do spend time in a hospital, the palliative team there will coordinate with your community-based providers. This continuity of care brings comfort and familiarity.
4. It Looks at the Whole Person
Palliative care services take a holistic view, looking beyond just the physical symptoms to address emotional, social, practical, and spiritual needs. The team helps you and your family cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness. They assist with advance care planning, goals of care, and decision-making support. Palliative care aligns treatments with your priorities and values, empowering you to live as fully as possible.
Palliative care provides an invaluable layer of support through a serious illness. It aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for you and your loved ones and can benefit anyone with a complex illness, not just end-of-life care. When you or a loved one are in need of palliative care or hospice care, reach out to Harbour Hospice to learn more.
