Understanding Palliative Care: Improving Quality of Life, Not Hastening Death
There’s a common misconception that palliative care means death is imminent. This couldn’t be further from the truth. So, does palliative care mean death? The short answer is no.
Palliative care meaning is often misunderstood. It’s a specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care teams aim to provide comfort and improve quality of life for people and their families. [Source: Mayo Clinic]
Dispelling the Myth: Palliative Care is Not Hospice
A key difference between palliative care and hospice is that palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, even while curative treatments continue. Hospice care, on the other hand, is for patients with a terminal illness when curative treatment is no longer an option.
Deciding when to get palliative care or hospice for a loved one can be a challenging and emotional decision. Many people are unsure about the differences between these types of care and when each is appropriate. Read more advice on this topic in our blog.
Who Can Benefit from Palliative Care?
Anyone with a serious illness can benefit from palliative care, regardless of age or stage of disease. Palliative care is suitable at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life. Doctors may suggest it as soon as someone is diagnosed.
“Palliative care allows people to be in charge of their quality of life and comfort during a serious illness,” said Susan Finke, Director of Clinical Services at The Denver Hospice. “Life is a personal journey, and this kind of specialized care exists to help our patients navigate through a difficult time.”
This includes people with:
- Chronic illnesses: such as heart disease, cancer, or COPD
- Life-limiting illnesses: such as advanced cancer or multiple sclerosis
- Complex medical conditions: requiring specialized care and symptom management
Palliative care is about addressing the whole person – physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Palliative care supplements your medical care. It’s about helping people live as fully and comfortably as possible, whatever their diagnosis.
How Palliative Care Improves Quality of Life
Palliative care teams work closely with other healthcare providers to manage symptoms, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being. Your palliative care team works together to meet your physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural needs and also helps your family and carers. [Source: Better Health article]
Palliative care is primarily provided by a nurse practitioner working in coordination with the patient’s primary care provider. In contrast, hospice care at home involves a collaborative team that may include a registered nurse (RN), certified nursing assistant (CNA), social worker, chaplain, medical provider, and other certified health professionals.
- Managing pain and other physical symptoms
- Providing emotional and psychological support
- Offering spiritual and religious support
- Coordinating care with other healthcare providers
- Helping patients and families make informed decisions
By addressing these needs, palliative care can help people live more fully and comfortably with their illness.
Palliative Care of Denver: Your Partner in Care
At Palliative Care of Denver, we are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive palliative care to patients and their families. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to improving quality of life and helping people live their best lives.
If you or a loved one is facing a serious illness, we encourage you to learn more about palliative care. It’s not about giving up hope; it’s about living life to the fullest.
Contact Palliative Care of Denver today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.
