What Is Palliative Care?

Receiving a referral for palliative care can be emotional, in large part thanks to misconceptions about what palliative care is. With the right information, the process doesn’t need to be scary. In fact, accepting palliative care is a positive step towards receiving support for you and your family.

Palliative care is not a one-time treatment. It is in an extra layer of support for you, your family and your doctors. It will treat your pain and other symptoms. It will help you understand your treatment options. And it will help you cope with the everyday challenges of living with a serious illness. Palliative care should therefore start early in the course of illness – to reduce symptoms and suffering from the beginning, and enable the best possible quality of life for the longest amount of time.

The Principles of Palliative Care

Palliative care is defined by these principles. It:

• Affirms life and offers support for your goals
• Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
• Integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of care
• Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible
• Offers a support system to help patients’ families cope during the patient’s illness

Palliative care team members can help you find relief from pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. They can treat constipation, nausea and loss of appetite. They can help you sleep and overcome depression. Managing these symptoms can give you the strength you need to carry on with your daily life. It can also help you cope with your medical treatments. And it can help you start enjoying life again.

To learn more about Allied Services Palliative Care click here or call 570-341-4320.