Palliative Care
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a type of medical care that focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. It is often provided alongside curative treatments and can help manage symptoms, provide emotional support, and assist with decision-making.
Who's at risk for palliative care?
Palliative care may be appropriate for individuals with serious illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can be provided at any stage of an illness, from diagnosis through end-of-life care.
What causes palliative care?
The need for palliative care arises from the challenges associated with serious illness, which can include physical symptoms, emotional distress, and complex medical decision-making. Palliative care aims to address these challenges by providing a holistic approach to care.
How does palliative care start?
Palliative care may be initiated at any point during a serious illness, and can be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and at home. It typically involves a team of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, who work together to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient.
What are the symptoms of palliative care?
Palliative care may be focused on managing a wide range of symptoms associated with serious illness, including:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Depression and anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
How is palliative care used?
Palliative care is not preventable, as it is a type of care provided in response to serious illness. Palliative care is a type of care that can be provided alongside curative treatments. It may be recommended by a healthcare provider based on the presence of a serious illness and the need for symptom management or additional support.
What treatments are provided with palliative care?
Palliative care may involve a variety of treatments and interventions to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, including:
- Medications to manage pain, nausea, and other symptoms
- Counseling or therapy to address emotional distress or spiritual needs
- Nutritional support or assistance with activities of daily living
- Coordination of care and support for caregivers and family members
What complications may occur with palliative care?
Palliative care itself does not typically lead to complications, but the underlying illness may progress and cause additional challenges or complications.
Long-term management of palliative care
For individuals with serious illnesses, long-term management may involve ongoing palliative care alongside curative treatments, as well as advanced care planning for end-of-life care.
What is recent research saying about palliative care?
Recent research has focused on the benefits of early integration of palliative care into the care of individuals with serious illness, as well as improving communication and decision-making around end-of-life care. Other areas of research include:
- Developing new treatments and interventions for symptom management
- Addressing disparities in access to palliative care among diverse populations
- Improving the quality of care provided to individuals receiving palliative care
Where can I go for more information on palliative care?
For more information on palliative care, individuals can speak with their healthcare provider or visit reputable websites, such as:
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC)
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)
Overall, palliative care is an important aspect of care for individuals with serious illnesses, and can help improve quality of life for both patients and their loved ones. It involves a holistic approach to care, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and can be provided at any stage of an illness. Ongoing research is focused on improving access to palliative care, developing new treatments for symptom management, and improving communication and decision-making around end-of-life care. For more information on palliative care, individuals can speak with their healthcare provider or visit reputable websites such as those listed above.
