Palliative Care In Los Banos, California
It’s vital to know that when a loved one enters palliative care, they’ll be getting the best care available while dealing with a serious illness. Palliative care is divided into five stages with the goal of reducing pain and enhancing quality of life for both the patient and their families. We’ll look at what palliative care is, when it’s appropriate and what each stage of the process entails.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a specialist care for people who are suffering from serious illnesses. Palliative care aims to relieve symptoms of sickness while also increasing the patient’s, families’ and loved ones’ quality of life.
Palliative care is provided to patients of all ages and is based on the particular patient’s needs rather than their prognosis. Palliative care is delivered by a group of doctors, nurses and other specialists who have received special training in palliative care.
Palliative care emphasizes stress relief and ensures that the patient has as much mental well-being as possible, in addition to focusing on easing the physical symptoms of the disease. In addition to physical and medical demands, palliative caregivers engage with patients to evaluate their emotional and spiritual needs.
Who Can Benefit From Palliative Care?
Anyone suffering from a serious disease can benefit from palliative care. Here are several examples:
- Cancer
- Coronary artery disease
- Diseases of the lungs
- Failure of the kidneys
- Dementia
- HIV/AIDS
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
People can stay under the supervision of their normal health care provider and receive treatment for their disease while receiving palliative care.
Who Is A Palliative Care Provider?
A palliative care team is a collection of experts in various professions who give medical, social, emotional and practical assistance to the patient, family and other doctors. Members vary depending on what is required and available resources but in general, palliative medicine comprises professionals such as:
- A group of medical professionals
- Nurse practitioners and nurses
- Physician assistants helping doctors
- Dieticians with a license to practice
- Social workers helping people
- Psychologists
- Therapists that specialize in massage
- Chaplains
- Counselors
- Therapists that specialize in physical therapy
In terms of symptom management and level of care, a person’s team may vary depending on their needs. A person’s healthcare professional can refer them to a palliative care expert or request one on their behalf if the need arises. Hospitals, cancer centers, outpatient palliative care clinics and long-term care homes can all provide palliative care. You may also be able to hire a home care organization that has palliative care specialists or services available, depending on where you reside.
The National Institute on Aging claims that “Palliative care may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance policies. The Department of Veterans Affairs may be able to help veterans with palliative care. Private health insurance may cover some services. Health insurance providers can answer inquiries regarding what they will cover.”
Is Palliative Care & Hospice Care The Same Thing?
Palliative care and hospice care are the two options for persons facing death. Palliative care can be a significant source of consolation for terminally ill patients. It is frequently administered concurrently with therapy for their sickness and it is also offered at the time of diagnosis or prognosis, so people can feel more at ease throughout whatever time they have left.
Hospice care occurs after all therapies for a terminal illness have been discontinued or when there is no longer any hope of recovery from an illness (typically a 6-month life expectancy). Hospice care enables families to focus on providing their dying loved one with a good quality of life rather than attempting to extend it beyond what is reasonable given their health state.
Palliative Care's Goals
Palliative care is a curative treatment that focuses on improving a patient’s quality of life. The objectives are to promote comfort, reduce discomfort and anxiety, restore dignity and maintain autonomy in everyday activities and decision-making processes to the greatest extent possible. Its goal isn’t just to reduce symptom load; it’s also to make people happier without changing their sickness or condition.
Symptoms & Their Treatment
For patients with long-term illnesses or who are getting aggressive chemotherapy, the palliative care team will discover additional symptoms and therapies. This can help with both the physical and mental effects that these symptoms can have.
Discomfort Reduction
The most common symptoms near the end of life are pain, nausea, shortness of breath and lack of appetite. Untreated pain can be extremely distressing for individuals and their families, especially when it exacerbates underlying diseases. At this point, managing pain becomes critical in order to relieve discomfort without fear of developing an addiction or developing a tolerance to opioid medications.
Improving Quality Of Life
In one trial, 160 patients were randomly selected to receive regular medical care or palliative care + standard care while hospitalized for weeks throughout cancer treatments requiring bone marrow transplants.
Patients who received palliative care reported fewer symptoms, a lower decline in quality of life and less depression and anxiety after two weeks in the hospital than those who received standard care. After three months, patients who received palliative care reported some improvements.
Support In Social & Spiritual Areas
Treatment for emotional and psychological wellness is just as important for individuals who are suffering from a serious illness. Palliative care ensures that patients maintain active relationships with loved ones, friends, family members and caregivers, which can be challenging when their bodies begin to fail them. Art therapy or pet therapy are also utilized to help people feel more at ease about their condition.
Providing Caregivers With Support
A person may have numerous support networks in their daily lives but as time passes and their care needs change, it is critical to locate someone who can assist them in achieving their care objectives. If you’re not sure where to start looking on your own, you could ask for suggestions from your health care professionals or personal care providers. Using a team approach during palliative care consultations can help patients have a better quality of life and ensuring that all of their loved ones are informed about the treatment options.
When Should Palliative Care Be Used?
Palliative care is commonly given to older people, although it can be given to anybody who has been diagnosed with a serious, chronic or life-threatening illness of any age. It is frequently a viable option for people who have been admitted to the hospital or attended the emergency room several times in the previous year.
Where Can Palliative Care Be Obtained?
Palliative care is available in a variety of contexts. Hospitals, hospices and long-term care institutions are examples of these. Palliative care can be delivered to a patient in their own home.
Palliative Care's Different Stages
Palliative care is divided into five different phases. Understanding these stages may support patients, their families and loved ones in better understanding palliative care.
Stage One: The patient, their family members, and/or loved ones will collaborate with healthcare providers to develop a palliative care plan during the first stage of palliative care.
The patient’s symptoms can be sufficiently managed by existing treatments at this time, but as the patient’s condition develops, a plan will be developed to preserve symptom management and quality of life. The first stage is frequently referred to as the “stable phase.”
Stage Two: Stage two is also known as the “unstable phase” since the patient begins to develop symptoms that necessitate the assistance of a team of medical specialists at this time. The patient may develop a new problem or group of symptoms related to their illness during this stage or the intensity of current problems or symptoms may worsen. It may be necessary to make an immediate or significant change to their palliative care treatment.
At this point healthcare experts, a chaplain or another spiritual leader may offer emotional and spiritual support to the patient, their family members and loved ones.
Stage Three: In stage three, the patient’s symptoms increase progressively and new and unexpected symptoms or medical problems may emerge. The “deteriorating phase” is the name for this period. It is usual for loved ones and family members to have worsening distress and difficulties maintaining their regular routines during this stage, necessitating more emotional care and counselling.
Stage Four: Stage four entails securing inpatient care at a hospice or hospital or if possible, at home. It is common for end-of-life care to be necessary at stage four. The patient is frequently bedridden at this point, has trouble taking medication is disoriented and uninterested in food or drink and requires daily health interventions. Overall, patients’ emotional and spiritual well-being, as well as that of their family members and loved ones, is prioritized.
Stage Five: After the patient’s death, the patient enters stage five. Family members and loved ones may be provided with a prepared grieving plan throughout this stage, also known as the “bereaved phase,” which can last several months.
What Is The Starting Stage For Palliative Care?
Palliative care is used to help with the treatment and management of symptoms, and it can be used whenever you think it will be beneficial after a diagnosis. Because this form of care is offered for a wide range of diseases, each of which has a varied influence on a person’s life, a specific timeline should not be specified.
It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about when this type of treatment might be beneficial. However, you are the only one who knows how you feel and what kind of help you want or need, so the final decision is yours.
Remember that you are in control of the palliative care process and the goal is to help you live as full a life as possible while providing you with assistance in every manner possible.
Melodia Care prioritizes you and your loved ones’ comfort and well-being. We’ve been dedicated to providing high-quality, medical-grade goods that assist patients maintain a good quality of life throughout their medical treatment.