When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness or condition, it can have a significant impact on both them and the people around them. Often families and friends will come together to try and support their loved one, and they will do all they can to help them manage their symptoms. However, as an illness becomes more advanced, some professional assistance may be required to keep them comfortable and it isn’t uncommon for palliative care to be arranged.
Palliative care, also known as end-of-life care, is an approach to health care that is used to help patients and their families cope with the effects of a serious illness. Palliative care can be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes and a patient’s home, and a specialist palliative care team can make a huge difference on a day-to-day basis.
If you’re wondering what palliative care involves and whether it could be beneficial to your loved one as their illness progresses, below we have answered some frequently asked questions about this type of person-centred care.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a type of care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of life-limiting conditions or terminal illnesses, such as cancer. This is a holistic form of care, meaning not only does it consider the physical needs of the patient, but it also focuses on their psychological, social and spiritual needs too.
At Beloved Homecare, our team is fully trained to provide end-of-life care to people in their own homes and we ensure our clients feel fully supported and cared for. Most patients with a terminal illness have the desire to die at home and we can support them during their final months, weeks or days, ensuring they are comfortable.
How can a team of palliative carers help?
The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life for patients and support their family members as a condition becomes progressive or advanced. It focuses on relieving suffering and providing comfort, and it can have a big impact at any stage of a serious illness but it’s most commonly required during the last stages of life.
A specialist palliative care team will work closely with other healthcare professionals, including district nurses, GPs, hospital discharge teams and pharmacists to ensure that adequate support is being provided. They will help to relieve pain as well as nausea, fatigue and other symptoms associated with serious illnesses, making life more comfortable and enjoyable. They will also provide emotional support for patients and their families, helping them come to terms with the illness and make decisions about future care.
Before providing palliative care, care professionals will create a tailored care plan for the patient’s specific needs. This plan will include everything from medication management and personal care to companionship and implementation of personal wishes. Over time, this care plan can be adjusted as required to ensure it’s always suitable for the patient’s needs.
Why do people arrange palliative care at home?
It’s becoming more common for people to arrange palliative care at home, rather than moving into a hospice. End-of-life home care services enable patients to remain within their own homes until the very end. Staying in a familiar setting can provide comfort to patients and their families, and it’s the preferred choice for many. Home care is also often more cost-effective than care in a hospice setting and it allows for much more flexibility in appointment times and care services.
Home care offers a more personal and compassionate experience too, allowing the patient to remain in a familiar environment, surrounded by their family and friends. Additionally, the patient will have more control over the care and support that they receive, and their wishes will be the top priority at all times. Palliative care at home is always provided sensitively and a highly-trained team of home carers will take very good care of the patient.
Speaking to an agency about palliative care in Trafford
If you would like to find out more about palliative care and how a team of home carers can support your loved one as their illness becomes more advanced, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Beloved Homecare. We offer palliative care in Trafford and the surrounding areas, and our team is fully trained to provide holistic and sensitive support to our clients.
We understand that everyone has different wishes when it comes to end-of-life care and we will work closely with you and your loved one to ensure that the home care services we provide are person-centred. We are passionate about helping people remain within the comfort and ease of their own homes when they’re suffering from an illness, and you can have peace of mind when you turn to our compassionate team for our palliative care in Trafford.