Does Palliative Care Mean Dying?

Are you one of those people who start to feel afraid or anxious when hearing palliative care? You may believe that this indicates that the treatment is no longer effective. You may be thinking that your loved one will soon experience end-of-life.

Are you aware that palliative care’s primary goal is to improve the quality of life for people who are suffering from serious illnesses? Yes it is true! For years, you’ve most likely misunderstood the real purpose of palliative care!

Most people have been using the terms hospice and palliative care interchangeably as if they were synonymous with each other. Do you have a grasp about their differences?

Does palliative care really mean end-of-life? Read on!

 

#1 Palliative Care Brings Peace of Mind

Your doctor may recommend palliative care if you or a loved one is suffering from a life-threatening illness. No need to worry a bit as Palliative care can make your loved one’s life, as well as the lives of those who care for them of greater ease and comfort.

Most health care facilities have a wide range of services such as pain management and 24-hour on-call nursing. With these services,  you don’t have to handle your loved one’s needs on your own if they require assistance. Hospice care like what Advanced Health Care Inc provides offers a reliable helping hand! Lessen your worries and achieve peace of mind!

 

#2 Palliative Care Provides Comfort

Palliative care provides comfort to people who are suffering from the symptoms associated with their illnesses. It is true that people of all ages can benefit from palliative care. These sick loved ones can still get to enjoy their lives again or much better, be cured. Palliative provides help to those who need it the most. It only assures everyone that being sick does not mean it’s end-of-life. Compassion and care has a vital role to play in providing comfort to those who need it the most through Palliative care.

 

#3 Palliative Care is Patient-Centered 

Another reason why nobody should be alarmed about palliative care is because this kind of care adapts to the family’s perspective about quality of life. It focuses on preventing, recognizing, and treating suffering in patients and their families. Asking the patient about their priorities is part of this patient-centered treatment. Such involves having the option to receive their care whether at a facility or at home. Along with the family’s decision, the healthcare team will develop a perfect care plan to meet their sick loved one’s goals and requirements. Surely, customized care will improve the lives of your sick loved ones holistically. This is the essential goal of palliative care!

 

#4 Palliative Care is Compatible with Treatment

If someone is suffering from a disease such as cancer, they may already be receiving treatment before being advised to undergo palliative care. Since palliative care’s focus is to relieve the symptoms related to the illness, you don’t necessarily have to discontinue the initial treatment. The palliative care team consists of professional doctors, nurse practitioners, and other specialists who will work with your primary doctors to come up with the best care and strategy possible. Treating the disease is just as important as relieving its side effects and symptoms.

 

#5 Palliative Care is Not Hospice Care. 

Finally, you have to understand that palliative care is not the same as hospice care. While both care focus on controlling symptoms and pain management, hospice care serves individuals who have a prognosis of 6 months or less. It focuses on making the end-of-life phase peaceful and with dignity. But if started early, hospice patients can still live longer than expected. Palliative care would work best if you start the moment you need it! You may begin palliative care at any time and any stage of the illness. And the earlier it is initiated, the more effective the treatment will be.

 

The Takeaway!

The points listed above provide clarity and hopefully has cleared your mind about the concept and purpose of Palliative care. Alleviate your fear,  Palliative care is not something to be scared of. It in fact can make your loved one’s overall health a lot stable. 

Although  your loved one has been diagnosed with a serious illness, being advised to seek palliative care does not imply that they are dying! We only need to manage the symptoms as this is vital at this phase of their illness.