Should I consider Palliative Care?
855.5.HARBOR
Palliative care may be right for you if you are experiencing pain, stress and other symptoms due to a serious illness. Serious illnesses can include cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness and be used in conjunction with treatment meant to cure you.
Pain and symptom control: Your palliative care team will identify your sources of pain and discomfort. Then the team will provide treatments that can offer relief.
Communication and coordination: Palliative care teams are extremely good communicators. They put great importance on communication between you, your family and your doctors in order to ensure that your needs are fully met. These include establishing goals for your care, help with decision-making and coordination of care.
Emotional support: Palliative care focuses on the entire person, not just the illness. The team members caring for you will address any social, psychological, emotional or spiritual needs you may have.
Family/caregiver support: Caregivers bear a great deal of stress too, so the palliative care team supports them as well.
You can expect to have more control over your care and a comfortable and supportive atmosphere that reduces anxiety and stress. Your plan of care is reviewed each day by the Palliative Care Team and discussed with you to make sure your needs and wishes are being met and that your treatments are in line with your goals. In short, you can expect the best possible quality of life.
Absolutely. Your treatment choices are up to you. You can get palliative care at the same time as treatment meant to cure you.
Palliative care can be available in a number of places. These include hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term-care facilities, hospices or home.
Contact us today at 855-5-HARBOR (855-542-7267)