|
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a special type of medical care that focuses on treatment
of the symptoms people may have when they are living with a chronic
(long-standing) illness, such as cancer or heart failure. It is often compared
to the hospice care that is offered to terminally ill people.
In palliative care, the goal is to provide the best quality of life possible—even
in cases before someone becomes terminally ill. Palliative care can be used
during a time that a person is getting treatment for a disease as well as during
a time that there is no more useful treatment for the disease.
What are the features of palliative care?
Palliative care looks at all symptoms, including physical, emotional, and
spiritual problems. Palliative care deals with the treatment of problems
including pain, nausea, loss of appetite, depression, and fatigue.
Another key feature of palliative care is its focus on the patient as well as
the family. Chronic illness puts special stress on families, and having support
can be very helpful. Talking about and planning for the future can help prepare
a person and the person’s family to make the best choices for everyone
involved.
Where is palliative care provided?
Palliative care is being offered in more and more hospitals throughout the
country. It may also be available in outpatient clinic or home settings. Hospice
care is a special form of palliative care offered to those who may have less
than six months to live. To find physicians certified in Palliative Medicine, go
to the Web site for the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine at
www.abhpm.org
What are the benefits of palliative care?
High-quality palliative care can make the difference between a comfortable
existence and one that involves much suffering. Palliative care also can help a
patient’s loved ones begin to deal with the issues of grief and bereavement.
|
