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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.
Cavendish Homecare
At Cavendish Homecare, we understand that at such a stressful and sensitive time specialist nursing care and trustworthy support can make a huge difference during Palliative care
We are experts in providing palliative homecare 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.
