Often, we think of palliative care as being directly equal to hospice care. And while hospice care does utilize palliative care, it is a specific type, aimed at relieving pain associated with the end of life. Palliative care, plainly put, is care that is focused not on finding a cure or a treatment to an illness or disability, but rather to help the person who is suffering find comfort from whatever it is that they are dealing with.
It can be something that is for a short period of time, or an extended length. It all depends on the specific situation of the person who in need.
Palliative care is usually administered by a larger team, and not just one or two individuals. It is part of a larger strategy for making sure that the person in need is receiving the highest quality of care possible. This means that your loved one can and should still see their regular doctors like they’re scheduled to.
The great thing about palliative care is that it is a reminder to doctors and others that work with your elderly loved one that they are more than just whatever their health struggles might be. They are a person with real emotions and concerns. Palliative care addresses this, but all types of senior care should, too.
If you have an elderly loved one who is dealing with chronic pain, then palliative care might be a good alternative to the current methods that you are using to help make your family happier and healthier. Pain is never pleasant, and palliative care is geared toward helping to make this unpleasant experience a little bit easier. It will not provide a solution to pain, but rather it will try to help make life more manageable.
So, this might be right for you and your family. If you have more questions about this, consulting with a doctor can be a helpful way to determine what the best steps here are. They will be more aware of the ins and outs of what your family needs to stay as healthy as possible, and what steps need to be taken to achieve this. If other instructions are needed, your loved one’s doctor will also be able to provide these at this time.
If you do decide that palliative care will be helpful for your family, then finding the right caregiver is the next step. We would love to help you in your search. Palliative care is only as effective as the caregivers are knowledgeable and compassionate. Get in touch with us today for more information on how we can help you and your family. Our goal is to help make life easier for your entire family. Sometimes we can be the right choice, but not always. If we are not the best choice for you and your situation, we will help guide you to the best possible resource out there. Each situation is different, and you deserve the care team that is ideal for your specific needs.
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