Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early detection, impeccable assessment, and threatment of pain and other problems; physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
People involved in palliative care include; Health workers, the community, family, and the patient.
Benefits of palliative care
Puts the patient’s desires, goals and decisions first
Supports the patient and family
Helps patients and families understand treatment plans
Improves quality of life
Provides pain and symptom control
Focuses on body, mind, and spirit
Reduces unnecessary hospital visits
Source: palomarhealth.org
The principles of palliative care
Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process.
Neither hastens nor postpones death.
Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.
Integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of care.
Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death.
Areas offered for palliative care
• Nursing homes
• Hospitals
• Home-based care
• Hospital outpatient
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