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Palliative care offers physical, practical, and emotional support to those with a terminal illness and can be offered at any point after a terminal diagnosis.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care can last for years and is a holistic approach aiming to make you feel comfortable and supported, rather than working to cure the illness. It should be tailored to your individual needs.
If you are living with a terminal illness, treatments will include and focus on:
- Managing symptoms
- Offering psychological, emotional, and spiritual support
- Ensuring good quality of life
- Offering practical support such as planning for the future
Palliative Hospital Care
In the hospital, you will be cared for by a team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who work on the ward you are on. Hospitals have specialist palliative care teams who will work alongside and help the hospital staff in your palliative care.
The palliative care team will provide specialist advise for managing pain and symptoms as well as provide some social, emotional, and spiritual support. They also work closely with the hospital staff, GPs, dietitians, physiotherapists as well as social workers and hospital chaplains.
Should you decide to then be cared for at home or in a hospice, the team will assist in planning for a smooth transfer.
Palliative Home Care
When unwell, it is often comforting to be at home amongst familiar surroundings and people. Therefore, some choose to receive palliative care at home. Receiving palliative care at home can relieve stress and means you are surrounded by people you know and trust, as well as your belongings and home comforts.
Receiving care at home mean that you are not constricted to the hospital’s restrictions such as visiting times. It also means that you can get round-the-clock, one-on-one care from a dedicated carer or nurse, instead of waiting for ward rounds.
It is also important to think about how this will work in your home such as ensuring the right equipment is ready.
Choosing the right care for you
Choosing the right care for you is an important decision. Discussing your options with your medical team and family can help. It is also best to let people know what you want so that they can do their best to make sure you have the help, support, and care to allow your wants to be met.
For more insights into types and stages of palliative care, have a look at our blogs on our website, including ‘Types of Palliative Care‘ and ‘Stages of Palliative Care.’ Making the right care choice is vital, and discussing your options with your medical team and family can help ensure your preferences are met.
How can Palliative Care help manage other conditions?
Palliative care is a valuable resource for individuals facing a range of serious medical conditions, including cancer, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It focuses on improving the overall quality of life for patients dealing with the symptoms, pain, and emotional challenges associated with these conditions. Whether it’s managing pain and side effects from cancer treatments, offering support and guidance for those with heart failure, or helping COPD patients breathe more comfortably, palliative care plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of those confronting these and other life-limiting illnesses.
How can Cavendish Homecare help?
At Cavendish Homecare, we understand that at such a stressful and sensitive time specialist private nursing care and trustworthy support can make a huge difference during Palliative care
We are experts in providing private palliative homecare in London and the Home Counties for individuals with terminal illnesses who want to remain in their own homes. Our team have a wealth of care experience at providing practical and emotional support to the patients and their families.