WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?
Palliative care is the general term given to end-of-life care that focuses on patient comfort rather than recovery, when getting better is no longer an option. A palliative care plan will try to ensure that the patient suffers as little as possible and is allowed to reach the end of their life with minimum pain and suffering, and with as much dignity as possible.
HOW ARE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DIFFERENT?
Hospice can be thought of as a specific type of palliative care. For example, hospice patients are usually referred when doctors believe they have six months or less to live, where palliative care is not subject to any time restrictions. Palliative care can apply over a period of weeks, months, or even years, and can work alongside a long-term treatment plan that aims at patient recovery and healing.
Palliative care can assist with life-limiting conditions, and can also apply when active treatment to combat that illness is still being undertaken. Like hospice, palliative care can include pain management, help with understanding care options towards the end of life, help at home, and emotional support for patients and for loved ones.
Family, friends, and community members are more likely to be involved in hospice care alongside doctors and nurses. Depending on insurance arrangements, eligibility may also be different for hospice and palliative care.
DO YOU NEED HOSPICE OR PALLIATIVE CARE?
If you are unsure about which options you should be looking into, either for yourself or for a loved one, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Even if it’s not time for hospice yet, understanding the choices and having a plan can reduce stress and help everyone feel better.
THE GOALS OF PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care is a broader philosophy that includes hospice care. Palliative Care can be used as a separate area of medical practice while the patient is receiving treatment.
As with hospice, palliative care aims to improve quality of life from every different angle. It can include the following goals:
- To keep pain to a minimum, using clinical methods
- To treat symptoms and improve health where possible
- To assist with mobility and safety
- To allow meaningful interactions between patients and their friends, family, and community
- To improve spiritual and emotional well-being through counselling, art and pet therapy programs, and more
- To allow both patients and caregivers to understand and express their feelings at this most difficult of times
- To ensure patients and caregivers understand what is happening and make informed, well-thought-through choices
- To help reduce the sometimes heavy burden on caregivers through training, respite care or everyday hands-on assistance
In order to be as effective as possible, palliative care should start early in the care program- often, the earlier we can start, the more we can help. Making firm plans for care in advance can also help reduce worry and stress. If you or someone you care about might benefit from palliative care and you want to understand the options, talk to us. We are here for you.
Our team can help you determine if this care is right for you. To find out more, contact us to discuss you or your loved one specific needs.