Palliative services are an important and misunderstood element of improving quality of life for many people. While palliative care is part of hospice or end-of-life care, it can also be offered to patients without terminal or life-threatening illnesses.
Understanding palliative care can help you or your loved one feel better about receiving palliative services in Ocilla, GA – as well as receive the maximum benefit from those services!
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is symptom treatment for an incurable medical condition. For many people, this involves pain relief, reducing symptoms such as nausea or stomach upset, and improving mental and emotional health during treatment. However, those are just some of the ways that palliative care can benefit patients.
The job of palliative care is to make life more comfortable. This includes a combination of symptom relief, emotional and social support, and education. It may also include hospice or end-of-life care services, but only if necessary.
Who Might Receive Palliative Services in Ocilla, GA?
Is your condition or that of your loved one a fit for palliative care? Both chronic and acute conditions can benefit from palliative services, but not every medical condition warrants it.
Some conditions that might benefit from palliative care include:
• Cancer
• ALS
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• COPD
• Heart Disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Kidney and liver disease or failure
• Lung disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke and other neurological conditions
As with most things, there are exceptions to every rule. Palliative care is generally reserved for patients with an incurable disease or condition, and those with severe symptoms. But even patients with conditions that are considered curable might benefit from short-term palliative care, such as those with severe COVID-19. Symptoms might also be otherwise well-managed, but palliative services may help you to improve your overall prognosis and level of comfort.
If you think that you or a loved one might benefit from this type of care, ask your doctor about palliative care options. Your peace of mind and quality of life could see a huge boost, just by exploring the options available. For more details, visit Hospice Care Options.
