Palliative Care In Orinda City, California
What Is Palliative Care?
Care that provides relief from disease or injury symptoms is referred to as palliative care. Curative care aims to cure a disease, whereas palliative care aims to make the patient as comfortable as possible. “To make an illness or its symptoms less severe or unpleasant without addressing the cause” is the definition of palliative care. As your symptoms are reduced or “palliated,” palliative care can improve your overall well-being and prolong your life.
The field of palliative medicine is one that is growing in popularity. Even yet, many people have a misunderstanding of what palliative care entails, who should receive it and why. Palliative care’s goal is to make the lives of those who are facing life-threatening or life-altering illnesses a little easier. Supportive care is another name for this type of treatment.
When it comes to palliative care, the goal is to improve the patient’s overall well-being, which includes physical, emotional, spiritual and social aspects as well.
This is because palliative care is tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient. One or more of the following objectives may be included in a treatment strategy:
- Relieving symptom related pain, including adverse effects of treatment
- Increasing understanding of sickness and its course
- Identifying and treating practical and spiritual needs
- Assisting individuals in coping with the emotions and changes associated with sickness
- Helping in the comprehension of treatment alternatives, the formulation of treatment decisions and the coordination of care
- Locating and utilizing new resources to assist
Palliative treatment may be appropriate for a variety of diseases. Cancer, dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are just a few of the most frequent disorders for which palliative care is particularly beneficial.
What Distinguishes It From Hospice?
The primary distinction between palliative and hospice care is the timing of each type of care.
Palliative care is accessible at any stage of an illness for those who have a significant and potentially life-threatening condition. It is not dependent on your prognosis or expected life span.
In comparison, hospice care is accessible only at the end of life, when a patient’s sickness has ceased to respond to therapy. At this point, the patient may choose to discontinue treatment and enter hospice care, also referred to as end-of-life care.
Hospice, like palliative care, is concerned with an individual’s total comfort, which includes their emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Indeed, hospice care is a type of palliative care. Palliative care, on the other hand, does not always imply hospice care.
To qualify for hospice care, a physician must determine that your life expectancy is fewer than six months. This can be exceedingly challenging to decide on. Hospice care is not usually associated with the end of life. Hospice care may be followed by curative or life-prolonging therapy.
The Process Of Palliative Care
Palliative care is frequently provided by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including healthcare providers, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and spiritual workers. This collaboration enables the adoption of a variety of therapy options to alleviate symptoms.
Pain control is a typical palliative care treatment. This may be accomplished by using pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen or using harsher drugs such as morphine. Non-pharmacological treatments, sometimes referred to as complementary therapies, may also be included in the pain management plan. Massage treatment, relaxation techniques, music therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy are just a few examples.
Additionally, palliative care may include non-medical assistance for you and your family members. Support on an emotional level, spiritual advice and service through the healthcare system may be available. If you are experiencing anxiety or sadness due to your disease, palliative care can help alleviate those symptoms as well.
Because patients with serious illnesses frequently experience extreme fatigue, palliative care specialists can help restore energy and enable you to perform daily duties. For instance, you may be recommended to perform an activity, such as bathing, during a time of day when you are at your best. Additionally, dietary adjustments and a regular sleep plan may be recommended to maintain energy levels.
Obtaining Palliative Care
If you’re considering palliative care for your disease, the first step is to consult with your primary care practitioner. Be careful to emphasize what is most critical in terms of enhancing your quality of life. This could be aggressive pain management, the ability to receive treatment in the comfort of one’s own home or something else. You may be referred to a palliative care service organization by your healthcare physician.
Palliative care services are covered by the majority of insurance policies, including Medicare and Medicaid. This is situational. If you have issues concerning the expense of palliative care, a social worker from a palliative care group can assist you.
Palliative Care And Pain Medicine Principles
The first stage in pain management is to conduct a comprehensive pain assessment. You may be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being extremely low discomfort and 10 representing the most significant conceivable pain.
When selecting how to manage pain, keep three critical ideas in mind. To begin with, pain should always be handled promptly. A delay allows for the escalation of discomfort. Second, you should not be concerned about developing an addiction to pain medication. This is rarely a problem when drugs are administered correctly and under the constant supervision of a healthcare expert.
Of course, if you fear you are losing control of your pain medication use, you should immediately consult your healthcare professional. Third, the World Health Organization’s step-care strategy can be used to manage the majority of pain problems:
Step 1. Begin with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID). NSAIDs include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and stronger NSAIDs that may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Acetaminophen is an alternative to NSAIDs for pain.
Step 2. If your pain persists or worsens, your healthcare professional may prescribe a low-dose opioid such as hydrocodone. Non-opioid pain medication may be used with a weak opioid.
Step 3. If your pain persists or worsens, your physician may prescribe a more potent opiate. Morphine and fentanyl are two examples of powerful opioids.
Is Palliative Care Associated With Death?
No, palliative care is not synonymous with death.
However, palliative care benefits a significant number of people who are facing life-threatening or terminal illnesses. However, palliative care also assists patients in meeting their healthcare goals. Jennie, for example, desired to retain her vigor and health to care for her family.
Palliative care enhances the quality of life for individuals of any age and stage of severe disease. Jennie’s palliative care team took the time to discuss her wishes and requirements for her care. Jennie’s palliative care team supported her as a whole person by integrating pain and symptom treatment with emotional and spiritual support.
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