Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. What are the benefits of Palliative Care?
* Puts the patient’s desires, goals and decisions first
* Supports the patient and family
* Helps patients and families understand treatment plans
* Improves quality of life
* Provides pain and symptom control
* Holistic Approach that Focuses on body, mind and spirit
* Reduces unnecessary hospital visits
* Education regarding advanced directives, terminology and forms
What is Hospice? A common misconception about starting hospice is that it is a last resort. Many people believe it means a lower level of medical care when, actually, it is a form of specialized care that focuses on enhancing the quality of the days the patient has left, instead of continuing with treatment to prolong life. Benefits of Hospice:
* Basic medical care with a focus on pain management and symptom control.
* Access to a hospice team member 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
* Medical supplies and equipment, as needed.
* Counseling and social support for both the patient and their loved ones.
* Guidance with the complex challenges of life completion and closure.
