5 Frequently Asked Questions About Palliative Care

Palliative care enhances the quality of life for patients, irrespective of their age as well as their family members who are suffering from issues related to life-threatening illness. Palliative care relieves and prevents suffering through early diagnosis and pain treatment. It has become an integral part of people-oriented health services that relieve suffering caused by extreme birth prematurity, organ failure, or the frailty of old age.

Palliative care is offered by a team of specially trained doctors, specialists, and nurses. They offer extra support to patients. However, palliative care is still an approach that is not well-understood by people. As such, you can go through these frequently asked questions to understand the strategy better than before.

How do I know that palliative care is right for me?

Palliative care is the appropriate approach if you have a severe condition. Serious medical conditions include kidney disease, cancer, lung disease, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, among others. What most people do not know is that unlike hospice care, palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a severe medical condition.

Where can I receive palliative care?

Necessary palliative care services in Indiana can be offered in hospitals, homes of patients, assisted living facilities, outpatient palliative care facilities, and other places such as cancer clinics. Therefore, palliative care does not have to be provided only in a hospital. You or your family members will only be required to choose the approach and have it personalized to suit your needs and illness.

Who provides palliative care?

Palliative care is provided by the care team of a patient together with the help of a palliative care team. A palliative care team is made up of nurse practitioners, a pharmacist, a physician, social workers, and a practice coordinator. The care team focuses on aligning the values and goals of a patient and the family with the medical care with the objective of enhancing the quality of life. The palliative care team, on the other hand, collaborates with the primary care and physician of the patient to design a coordinated program.

What does a palliative care team do?

Palliative care is offered by specialists to provide extra support to patients to improve the quality of life even when they have a severe medical illness. A palliative care team assists to clarify the treatment objectives and options for a patient, relieve distress and symptoms, and understand the patient’s disease and diagnosis better than before. The care program also coordinates with the patient’s doctor and helps the patient to make medical decisions.

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?

Hospice care is offered to patients who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses and have about six months to live. Palliative care, however, offers patients care that is geared toward reversing or curing the effects of a medical condition. Hospice patients can stop any forms of treatment and focus on living a comfortable life, unlike palliative care where patients still maintain their treatment.

You should choose palliative care for your loved one to relieve stress and symptoms of illness. These questions will enlighten you on palliative care. The care program can be customized to the needs of the patient and family.