You make have heard the term ‘palliative care’, but what exactly is it?
Palliative care is specialized care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses of providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness, with a goal of improving quality of life for the patient and family.
Which illnesses require palliative care?
- Cancer
- Cardiac disease such as congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Kidney failure
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Stroke
- And more…
Who provides palliative care? It is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and other specialists who work together to provide an extra layer of support.
Where is it provided? Palliative care can be provided in a hospital, assisted living facility, nursing home, or even at home.