What Is Palliative Care?
The quality of life, comfort, and resilience in seriously ill patients and their families is improved by palliative care. It is critical for older adults to plan and communicate their end-of-life preferences to caregivers, doctors and family members.
If an older person wants to die at home while receiving final care for pain and other symptoms and they inform healthcare providers and family members of this, the chances of unnecessary hospital treatment are significantly lower.
The person can no longer decide on their health; the caregiver or family member may have to make these decisions on their behalf. When caregivers decide on end-of-life care, they should consider the willingness of the care receiver to go along with the decision.
Palliative Care: What Is It?
Palliative care is a type of specialized medical care for people with severe diseases. This type of care is aimed at relieving the disease's symptoms and stress. The aim is to improve the quality of life of the patient and the family.
A specially trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who cooperate with the patient's primary care physician to provide additional support is provided for in palliative care. Palliative care focuses on the needs of the patient, not its prognosis. It is suitable for patients of all ages and at all stages of a severe illness and this type of care can be administered with curative therapy.
For All Ages
Suitable for patients of all ages and at all stages of a severe illness. Palliative care focuses on the needs of the patient, not its prognosis.
Symptom Relief
Aimed at relieving the disease's symptoms and stress, improving the quality of life of both the patient and the family.
Works With Curative Therapy
Can be administered alongside curative therapy — patients do not have to choose between the two types of care.
Family-Centered
Supports not just the patient but also family members, addressing the full impact of serious illness on the household.
Understanding Palliative Care
Palliative care is aimed at improving the quality of life for people with severe diseases. It prevents or alleviates disease and treatment-related symptoms and side effects. Palliative care also addresses emotional, social, practical and spiritual issues related to an illness. When a person feels better in these areas, their quality of life improves.
Palliative care can also be provided with curative treatments at the same time.
At Time of Diagnosis
Palliative care may be provided from the very moment of diagnosis.
During Treatment
Continues throughout active treatment to manage side effects and symptoms.
During Follow-Up
Remains available during post-treatment follow-up care.
Near End of Life
Provides comfort and support as the patient nears the end of life.
While receiving palliative care, patients can continue to be treated for their disease by their regular health care provider.
What Is The Difference Between Palliative & Hospice Care?
Palliative and hospice programs are intended to provide comfort. However, there are key differences in when and how each is applied.
Palliative Care
Can begin at any stage
Can begin concurrently with diagnosis and treatment — no need to stop curative care.
Available to patients of any age, any stage of serious illness.
Focuses on symptom relief and quality of life alongside active treatment.
No time-limit prognosis requirement to begin care.
Hospice Care
End-of-life focused
Starts when disease treatment is ceased and the patient is not expected to survive the illness.
Customarily reserved for people with six months or less life expectancy.
Focuses entirely on comfort and dignity in the final phase of life.
Requires a physician's prognosis of six months or less to qualify.
What Does Palliative Care Include?
A severe illness has ramifications beyond the physical state of the body. It affects every aspect of a person's life and the lives of their family members. Palliative care can help a person cope with side effects of their illness.
Physical Symptoms
Treatment Approaches
Who Is Eligible For Palliative Care?
Palliative care is offered to all patients with severe disease irrespective of their age or preference for treatment. It is ideal if provided early in the condition and continues throughout in conjunction with life-prolonging or curative treatments. Patients are not required to choose between curative and palliative care; they may receive both.
Not only does palliative care improve patients' and families' quality of life by alleviating mental, physical distress and discomfort, but it can also help patients live longer. Improved quality of life, appropriate treatment and early hospice referral for intensive management and stabilization of symptoms are responsible for increased survival of the patient.
It is never too early to ask how palliative care can help you or your loved one live well. Patients are not required to choose between curative and palliative care — they may receive both simultaneously.
Cancer Palliative Care
Cancer is one of the most frequently encountered illnesses in palliative care. Care varies by type of cancer, symptoms, course of treatment, age and prognosis. May include depression and anxiety treatment and tools for family members to plan for the future.
Dementia Palliative Care
Dementia is characterized by a decline in cognitive function, affecting cognition, memory and behavior. Palliative care may include treatment for dementia-related anxiety and assistance for family caregivers in making difficult care decisions.
COPD Palliative Care
Palliative care can assist in managing COPD — a chronic respiratory illness. May include treatments for discomfort, anxiety or insomnia associated with breathing difficulty, plus lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation.
Some Similarities And Differences Between Palliative Care & Hospice Care
| Questions | Palliative Care | Hospice Care |
|---|---|---|
| Who can be treated? | Anyone with a serious illness | Anyone with a serious illness with doctor's prognosis of less than 6 months |
| Will my illness symptoms be relieved? | As much as possible | As much as possible |
| Can I continue curative treatments? | Yes, according to your requirements | No, only symptom relief provided |
| Will Medicare pay? | Depends on your benefit & care plan | Yes, to some extent |
| Does private insurance pay? | Depends on your insurance plan | Depends on the plan |
| How long will I be cared for? | Depends on insurance plan & care type | As long as hospice eligibility criteria is met |
| Where will I receive care? | Home Facility Hospital | Home Facility Hospital |
Optimizing Palliative Care Services
If you or a loved one has a life-threatening disease, ask your primary or specialist doctor to refer you to palliative care. If palliative care is unavailable locally, your doctor may discuss your palliative or hospice care needs directly with you and assist you in this process.
Utilize this discussion and the resulting services to:
Assess and manage your stressors that are out of control on a physical, psychological, social or spiritual level.
Recognize your illness, its expected course and available treatment options.
Examine your hopes, concerns, objectives, values, your cultural or religious beliefs that influence your care or treatment decisions, the treatments you may or may not want, and your quality of life definition.
Spread and document your proxy and end-of-life health care preferences, including any medical interventions you want or do not want.
It is never too early to ask how palliative care can help you or your loved one live well.
Ask Your Doctor
Ask your primary or specialist doctor to refer you to palliative care. If palliative care is unavailable locally, your doctor may discuss your palliative or hospice care needs directly with you.
How Melodia Care Can Assist?
With years of experience in hospice and palliative care, Melodia Care provides the following services:
Individualized Care Plans
Individualized care plans based on the patient's diagnosis, ensuring tailored and effective treatment strategies.
Multidisciplinary Caregiver Teams
Teams of multidisciplinary caregivers working together to provide comprehensive, coordinated palliative care.
Psychotherapy & Emotional Support
Psychotherapy, emotional support, and pastoral care to nurture the mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients and families.
Bereavement & Grief Services
Compassionate services for bereavement and grief, supporting families through and beyond the loss of their loved one.
Learn More About Our Services
For detailed information on your Services Offered, visit our Services Page or call us 24/7.