What is Palliative Care

Palliative care involves care of body, mind, and spirit in order to improve a person’s quality of life. Palliative care services are offered to people dealing with serious and life-threatening illnesses, often in the hospital or in a long-term care setting.

The specific services are different for each person and are based on the person’s needs and preferences. Palliative care requires a team of people who ensure:

• Control of pain and other symptoms.
• Family support.
• Spiritual support.
• Emotional and social support.
• Comfort.

Palliative care is a way to bring comfort and peace of mind to a person and his or her family. It can have a positive impact on the person’s quality of life and the course of the illness.

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?

Palliative care and hospice have similar goals of managing symptoms, promoting comfort, improving quality of life, and maintaining a person’s dignity. However, palliative care may be offered during any phase of a serious illness, while hospice care is usually offered when a person is expected to live for 6 months or less.

Who can receive palliative care services?

Palliative care is offered to children and adults who are seriously ill. It is often offered in cases where a person:

• Is not responding well to treatment.
• Needs pain management.
• Had treatment or surgery and developed symptoms that are difficult to manage.
• Is undergoing a treatment to cure a condition (active treatment), like chemotherapy.
• Has a diagnosis of an advanced disease, or a disease that shortens his or her life.

A health care provider will usually recommend palliative care services when more support would be helpful. Family members and friends may also receive palliative care services to cope with stress and other concerns.

Who makes up the palliative care team?

The following people make up a palliative care team:

• The person receiving care and his or her family.
• Physicians, including primary health care providers and specialists.
• Nurses.
• A social worker.

Depending on a person’s needs, the following people may also be included on a palliative care team:

• A pain specialist.
• A hospice specialist.
• A financial or insurance consultant.
• Religious or spiritual leaders.
• A care coordinator or case manager.
• A bereavement coordinator.

The team will talk with the person and his or her family about:

• The role of the pain specialist and the hospice specialist.
• The person’s physical symptoms, such as pain, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath.
• Stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms.
• Function and mobility issues and how to stay as active as possible.
• Treatment options and how they may affect life.
• Spiritual wishes, such as rituals and prayer.
• Legacy and memory making activities.
• Life and death as a normal process.
• Advance directives or living wills, health care proxies, and end-of-life care.
• Any other concerns or issues.

The palliative care team will make it okay to talk about difficult issues and topics. They will address spiritual and emotional concerns and give the person’s preferences high importance.

Summary

• Palliative care involves care of body, mind, and spirit in order to improve a person’s quality of life.
• The specific services are different for each person and are based on the person’s needs and preferences.
• Palliative care is a way to bring comfort and peace of mind to a person and his or her family.