Everything You Should Know About Palliative Care
Palliative care provides comprehensive care for seniors in Westminster, CO who need additional support to relieve discomfort from serious illnesses and conditions
Many people have never heard of palliative care or confuse it with hospice care. While the two share some characteristics, palliative is comfort care provided to people regardless of their age or the severity of their illness. It is a recognized medical specialty whose goal is to alleviate the symptoms of serious illnesses by catering to the needs of the whole person, not just focusing on their illness.
During the medical treatment, palliative care providers treat patients, but it is important to keep in mind that palliative doctors cannot replace medical specialists. Your loved one’s team during treatment may include a palliative doctor, primary doctors, specialists, nurses, social workers, spiritual leaders, family members and others.
Your Loved One’s Wishes and Comfort Are the Focus of Care
During palliative treatment, the wishes of the patient are always to be respected. Medical professionals treat the medical condition and palliative experts boost life quality and offer support throughout challenging times, which can include:
- Guiding your loved one as they make decisions regarding medical treatment
- Prescribing treatment for pain management
- Coordinating care with medical workers
- Assisting with drafting a living will and other legal documents in accordance with the patient’s wishes
- Providing companionship, comfort, and support
How Visiting Angels Westminster Supplements Palliative Care
Visiting Angels offers a program that can supplement your loved one’s palliative treatment. These programs aim to elevate quality of life through non-medical services and companionship. While your loved one is getting treatment from medical workers for their illness, our home care experts will make sure they are as comfortable as possible.
Since palliative programs are personalized in accordance with your loved one’s needs, care experts will most likely ask your loved one some or all of the following questions before developing a plan unique for them:
- What makes you happy?
- What are your hopes for yourself and your nearest and dearest in the future?
- How can we help you lead a more comfortable life?
- What do you deem important?
- What services would you like to know more about?
- What are you looking forward to?
- What gives you strength to keep going in challenging times?
- Do you have any worries in terms of your illness or medical care or treatment?
- What activities would you like to continue doing?
- What can we do to boost your life quality and help you live well?
To learn more about our home care services for seniors in Westminster, Denver, Broomfield and surrounding Colorado communities, contact Visiting Angels Westminster today!