Every human going through an illness requires adequate care and the best services to help them feel better. There is a world of difference quality healthcare can make for the psyche of an individual and that is one of the main motives behind palliative care. palliative care aims at helping those with serious illnesses feel a little better. It also prevents symptoms and addresses the side effects of treatments and diseases.
There are different social, emotional, practical and spiritual problems that serious illnesses can bring up. By helping people feel better about themselves, palliative care can help them enjoy a better quality of life.
Generally, this type of care is given at the same time as the treatment provided to treat or cure diseases. It can be given as soon as the illness is diagnosed so that they feel cared for right from the first day. It is continued throughout treatment, and during the follow-up period right till the end of a person’s life.
palliative care can be offered for those with illnesses such as:
- Kidney failure
- Lung diseases
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Heart disease
- ALS
- HIV/AIDS
In such cases, the regular provider can take care of the patient and still help them receive treatment during the palliative care.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
While palliative and hospice are similar, the difference between the two is that palliative care is provided right at the time of diagnosis and treatment. Hospice care, however, differs in the way that it is provided when it is clear that the patient is not going to survive the illness they are fighting.
palliative care can sometimes help boost the wellbeing of the patient and play a role in their recovery. Hospice care is all about providing the best care for a patient right till their last days.
Who provides palliative care?
Any health care provider can provide palliative care but there are a few who specialise in offering the following services:
- Registered dietitians
- Nurses and nurse practitioners
- Doctors
- Physician assistants
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Chaplains
- Massage therapists
Hospitals, cancer centres, home care agencies and care facilities can all provide palliative care. If you inquire at a hospital, they will be able to provide you with the names of the palliative care specialists near you.
The Difference Between palliative care and Hospice
While palliative care tends to the patient from the time they are diagnosed with the disease, a hospice focuses on treatment after it becomes obvious that they will not survive the disease.
Hospice care is most often offered when the person is expected to live for 6 months or less.
What does it include?
Serious illnesses can affect more than just the body. A person affected by a serious illness can go through severe mental trauma, and this can extend to other members of the family as well. palliative care addresses these areas of illnesses also.
Symptoms that are of the physical nature include:
- Shortness of breath
- Sleep troubles
- Pain
- Loss of appetite and a feeling of sickness in the stomach
Treatments for the same include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Nutritional guidance
- Medicine
- Integrative therapy
Emotional and social coping problems also arise due to the same as families and patients experience stress during this period. This can lead to anxiety, depression, fear and hopelessness and palliative care tries to train family members in coping with the same even if they have full-time jobs and other duties to take care of.
The different types of treatments include
- Support groups
- Family meetings
- Referring to a mental health provider
- Support Groups
Some of the problems that are bought due to illnesses are certainly practical, like money- or job-related issues, legal and insurance. palliative care also addresses these. Portea has home nursing services who will be able to take care of patients during this testing time. The in home nurse will be able to help patients feel better and cope with their illnesses in a systematic and stress-free way.