What is Palliative Care and How Does It Help Seniors in Eldersburg, MD?
Many people in Eldersburg, MD are not quite familiar with the term palliative care – what it is and how it helps, so Visiting Angels would like to use this opportunity to shed some light on the matter
Palliative services were defined by the World Health Organization in 2002 as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.”
Since then, the term palliative has been somewhat broadened and relates to care for anyone, at any age, or at any stage of an illness, regardless of its severity or life expectancy.
In 2006, the palliative approach to care was recognized as a medical specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Nowadays, a palliative team may include many individuals from different fields, from a palliative doctor, primary doctor, specialists, and nurses to social workers, volunteers, and members of the family.
Patient’s Wishes Are Central to Care
When it comes to palliative care, the patient’s wishes and requests are the focal point of any treatment plan, developed in consultation with a team of medical specialists.
The medical care team is there to treat the existing disease or condition while the palliative team’s primary focus is to alleviate suffering and discomfort, improve one’s quality of life, and help cope with the challenges of the illness. This comprises of:
- Providing medical guidance to the family and assisting with the decision-making process
- Prescribing treatments that control pain and alleviate discomfort
- Coordinating care with other medical professionals
- Drafting wills and other documentation
- Providing emotional support and spiritual guidance when requested
The development of palliative care dates back to the 60s and 70s when there was a pressing need to facilitate a new approach to caring for cancer patients. These past few decades, the palliative approach to care has become increasingly important as human life expectancy has risen well beyond 65 years.
Survival Odds May Increase With Palliative Services
While the palliative approach aims to relieve some of the symptoms and discomfort induced by the side effects of difficult medical treatments, it also helps prevent unnecessary readmissions and boosts recovery.
According to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, research has shown that people tend to live longer when they receive this type of care along with other treatments that are targeted at combating their illness.
Professional In-Home Caregivers Can Supplement Palliative Care
Top-notch agencies in the caregiving industry like Visiting Angels Eldersburg offer personalized care plans designed to supplement palliative care at home through specialized care and assistance. A professional caregiver usually provides non-medical care, meaning they will possess a different skill set compared to a medical team.
What is most important is that professional caregivers provide that compassionate warmth and interpersonal connection that sometimes doesn't accompany medical professionals and it can make life easier for your loved one and your entire family during these difficult times.
To learn more about how we can alleviate discomfort for your loved one, contact our Eldersburg, MD office today. Visiting Angels is here for you!