Live Your Final Days to the Fullest
By: AARP Outreach & Services Source: AARP.org Date Posted:
It's no wonder that some of today's medical terms confuse people. The health field is changing all the time, making huge strides in diagnosing and treating illnesses. New approaches to care are constantly being developed. Palliative care is one of these new specialties.
Palliative care is for patients who have chronic or life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and AIDS. It offers a range of services that improve the patient's overall quality of life.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care eases the symptoms of a disease. It doesn't cure it. Originally linked to hospice, today there's a new and expanded meaning. It's a new medical field that means much more than pain management.
Palliative care is a team oriented approach for people whose illnesses don't respond to curative treatment. It deals with the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families, allowing them to live life to the fullest each day. This care provides comfort to maintain the highest possible quality of life. While it can start at any stage of illness, its biggest role is at the end of life to ensure that the patient's needs are met.
How does palliative care work?
Throughout the illness, the focus is on the care of the whole person, not just the disease. To do this it brings together:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Social workers
- Pastoral counselors
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Music therapists
- Art therapists
- Specially trained volunteers
They begin work whenever the patient and family choose. Some patients want them to start when they first get sick. Some wait until comfort, support and quality of life issues are major concerns.
Who can receive palliative care?
Palliative care services are available to anyone who is seriously ill regardless of culture, age or gender. It's not true that palliative care is only for persons with cancer.
Where do I get palliative care?
Palliative care is given in a wide range of places - doctors' offices, clinics, long-term care settings, and at home. In addition, many hospitals are beginning to develop palliative care programs to augment their existing services.
Does having palliative care mean I have to give up treatment?
No. Some patients receiving palliative care also try life-prolonging therapies like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
What about my general physician?
As a key member of the palliative care team, your doctor coordinates services and is actively involved in your care.
Is palliative care widely accepted?
This medical specialty is widely recognized by medical organizations and professionals. People who specialize in palliative medicine receive special training and certification.
In addition, many organizations adopted the "Precepts of Palliative Care" guidelines. These were developed by the national coalition Last Acts and give attention to patient and caregiver concerns.
AARP Resources
Dealing with Pain: Don't suffer. AARP offers tips on how to deal with pain.
How to Talk to Your Doctor: Are you giving your doctor the information needed to properly treat you? Are you asking your doctor everything you need to know about your condition?
Additional Resources
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: Information about hospice and palliative care and a searchable database to find a providers.
Last Acts: A campaign to improve end-of-life care. It believes in palliative care, focused on managing pain and making life better for individuals and families facing death
Books
You can find these books at Barnes and Noble.com.
"Urgent Whispers: Care of the Dying," Jerral Sapienza, Beverley Soasey (Illustrator)
Lifelong Learning Excellence, Incorporated, 2002
"Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness," Joanne Lynn, Joan Harrold, Oxford University Press, 2001
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