Palliative Care
Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care designed to provide relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, regardless of the diagnosis.
About Palliative Care
A Few Of The Benefits
Palliative Care focuses on improving quality of life for both the patient and the family through a multidisciplinary approach that includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
Symptom Management:
Palliative care helps in managing symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath, providing patients with relief and comfort.
Emotional Support:
Support to patients and their families, helping them cope with the emotional aspects of the illness.
Enhanced Quality of Life:
By addressing both the physical and emotional needs, palliative care improves the overall quality of life for patients.
Support for Families and Caregivers:
Palliative care extends support to families and caregivers, offering guidance and relief as they navigate the care process.
Reduced Hospitalizations:
By effectively managing symptoms and providing comprehensive support, palliative care can reduce the need for hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
Spiritual Care:
Care addresses spiritual or existential questions and concerns, offering peace and comfort to patients and their loved ones.
Personalized Care Plans:
Care is tailored to the individual needs and preferences of the patient, ensuring personalized and appropriate interventions.
Advance Care Planning:
Palliative care teams assist in advance care planning, helping patients make informed decisions about their future healthcare.
Overall, palliative care emphasizes the holistic well-being of patients facing serious health challenges, ensuring that care is compassionate, coordinated, and patient-centered.
The SAME Expertise Comes To Them
In-Home Palliative Care Team
- Physicians for medical care
- Nurses for pain and symptom management
- Licensed social workers for the patient’s and your emotional needs
- Certified nursing assistants for daily living and safety support
- Chaplains for religious services and spiritual guidance.
When you hire us for home hospice, you get our entire team. Our goal is to provide you and your loved one the most comfortable and stress-free experience possible.
In-Home Palliative Care FAQs
When it comes to hospice care, people often have numerous questions due to the sensitive and complex nature of end-of-life care. Here are the most frequently asked questions about hospice care based on common concerns and inquiries from patients and their families:
What is Palliative care?
Who is eligible for palliative care?
What kind of symptoms does palliative care manage?
It manages a wide range of symptoms, including pain, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety, aiming to alleviate discomfort and improve well-being.
Can a patient receive palliative care while undergoing curative treatment?
Yes, palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life during treatment.
Who provides palliative care?
Our multidisciplinary team that may include doctors, nurses, social workers, and other specialists who work together to provide an extra layer of support.
Can hospice care be discontinued?
Yes, hospice care can be discontinued at any time. If a patient’s condition improves and they no longer meet the criteria for hospice, or if they choose to return to curative treatments, hospice care can be stopped.
Does insurance cover palliative care?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care services, but coverage can vary, so it’s important to check with your provider.
What does palliative care include?
It includes management of pain and other symptoms, assistance with decision-making about treatment options, coordination of care, and emotional, social, and spiritual support.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
While both hospice and palliative care provide comfort, palliative care can begin at diagnosis, and at the same time as treatment. Hospice care begins after treatment of the disease is stopped and when it is clear that the person is not going to survive the illness.
How does palliative care support families and caregivers?
Palliative care provides families and caregivers with counseling, support with decision-making, and respite care, helping them cope with the challenges of caring for a loved one with a serious illness.
When should palliative care begin?
Palliative care should begin at diagnosis of a serious illness and can be provided alongside treatments intended to cure or manage the disease.
Can palliative care be provided at home?
Yes, palliative care can often be provided at home, in hospitals, or nursing homes, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences.
How does palliative care address emotional and mental health?
It addresses emotional and mental health through counseling, support groups, and medication if necessary, to help patients and families navigate the emotional challenges of serious illness.
What role do patients and families play in palliative care planning?
Patients and families are central to palliative care planning, with their values, preferences, and decisions guiding the care approach to ensure it aligns with their goals.
How often does the hospice team visit?
The frequency of hospice team visits varies depending on the patient’s needs and the specifics of the care plan. Some patients may require daily visits, while others might have visits several times a week or less frequently. The care plan is regularly reviewed and adjusted as needed.
How does palliative care improve the quality of life for patients?How does palliative care improve the quality of life for patients?
By managing symptoms, addressing emotional and spiritual needs, and supporting patients and families in decision-making, palliative care improves the quality of life by reducing suffering and enhancing comfort.
These answers provide a comprehensive overview of palliative care, underscoring its role in providing compassionate, patient-centered care to those with serious illnesses.