Palliative Care Program

Palliative care is a specialized medical approach focused on improving  the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses, particularly  those facing life-threatening conditions. It aims to provide relief  from the symptoms, pain, and stress associated with the illness, rather  than seeking a cure. 

Palliative care addresses physical, emotional,  social, and spiritual aspects of care, often involving a team of  healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and  chaplains. It is not limited to end-of-life care and can be integrated  alongside curative treatments to help patients and their families better  cope with the challenges of serious illnesses.

Palliative care is an another layer of care focused on overall quality of life for people living with a serious illness. It can be offered anytime during an illness or treatments, and can help people live with comfort and dignity.

Palliative care may be offered to people of any  age who have a serious or life-threatening illness. It can help adults  and children living with illnesses such as:

• Cancer.
• Blood and bone marrow disorders requiring stem cell transplant.
• Heart disease.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Dementia.
• End-stage liver disease.
• Kidney failure.
• Lung disease.
• Parkinson's disease.
• Stroke and other serious illnesses.

Symptoms that may be improved by palliative care include:

• Pain.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Anxiety or nervousness.
• Depression or sadness.
• Constipation.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue.
• Trouble sleeping.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your first consultation appointment.

• Bring a list of symptoms you're experiencing. Write down what  makes the symptoms better or worse and whether they affect your ability  to go about your daily activities.
• Bring a list of medicines and supplements you use. Write down how often you use the medicines and the doses you take. For example, one  pill every four hours for five days. If you can, write what you used  that helped with your symptoms or what you used that did not help.
• Consider bringing a family member or friend with you to the appointment.
• Bring any advance directives and living wills you've completed.

Palliative care can be part of your treatment plan at any stage of a serious illness. You may  consider palliative care when you have questions about:

• What programs and resources are available to support you throughout your illness.
• Your treatment options and their reasons for and against.
• Making decisions in line with your personal values and goals.

Your first meeting may take place while you're in the hospital or in an

outpatient clinic. Research suggests that early use of palliative care services can:

• Improve the quality of life for people with serious illness.
• Decrease depression and anxiety.
• Increase patient and family satisfaction with care.
• In some cases, extend survival.

Your palliative care team  will talk with you about your symptoms and current treatments. The team  may discuss how this illness is affecting you and your family. You and  your palliative care team make a plan to prevent and ease suffering and  improve your daily life. This plan will be carried out in coordination  with your primary care team in a way that works well with any other  treatment you're receiving.

Your palliative care plan is designed to fit your life and needs. It may include elements such as:

• Symptom management. Your palliative care plan will include steps to address your symptoms and improve your comfort and well-being. The care team will answer questions you may have, such as whether your pain medicines will affect treatments you're receiving from your primary health care provider.
• Support and advice. Palliative care services  include support for the many difficult situations and decisions you and  your family make when you're facing a serious illness.
• You and your family may talk with a palliative care social  worker, chaplain or other team member about stress, spiritual questions, financial concerns or how your family will cope if a loved one dies. The palliative care specialists may offer guidance or connect you with community resources.
• Care techniques that improve your comfort and sense of well-being. These may include breathing techniques, healing touch, meditation, visualization or simply listening to music with headphones.
• Referrals. Your palliative care specialist may refer you to other care providers, for example, specialists in psychiatry, pain medicine or integrative medicine.
• Advance care planning. A palliative care team member can talk with you about goals and wishes for your care. This information could then be used to help you develop a living will, advance directive and a health care power of attorney.

Your palliative care team collaborates with your health care providers to ensure your care is well coordinated.

If you are interested in receiving Palliative care services, talk to your doctor or call us at 480 306-8655