Palliative care is a specialized medical approach focused on improving the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney failure, Alzheimer’s disease, and other life-limiting conditions. Palliative care aims to provide relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress associated with the illness, regardless of the stage of the disease or whether curative treatments are being pursued. Here are some key aspects of palliative care:
- Terminally ill patients with advanced or metastatic cancers might require specialised medical care for symptom relief – known as palliative care.
- Palliative care team is made up of different professionals who work with the patient, family, and the patient’s other doctors to provide medical, social, emotional and practical support.
- The team is comprised of palliative care specialist doctors and nurses and includes others such as social workers and nutritionists.
- Most cancer patients require palliative care for pain relief and nutrition support.
- Procedures to provide nutritional support like central line catheters or feeding tubes may be provided for patients.
- Pain relief through patient controlled analgesia, opioid patches or nerve blocks are provided
- The main goal of care focuses on the care, comfort and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life
