Palliative Care
Palliative care will affect most of us at some stage of our lives whether as a patient, carer, family member, neighbour or friend.
What is it?
Palliative care is specialised medical care for everyone with a serious illness. Whatever the prognosis, palliative care aims to provide pain relief and comfort to the patient, improving the quality of life for both the patient and their family.
The term "palliative care" is increasingly used for diseases other than cancer such as chronic pulmonary disorders, HIV/Aids and progressive neurological conditions, as well as for children who require specific paediatric care.
The aim of palliative care is to:
- Provide relief from suffering
- Treat pain
- Neither hasten nor postpone death
- Not cure the patient
- Care for the psychological and spiritual wellbeing of the patient
- Offer a support system to help patients live as actively as possible
- Help the family cope
- Enhance the patient's quality of life
Does it mean that the patient no longer receives treatment?
No. Palliative care is appropriate even in the early stages of an illness when someone is receiving treatment. It is about supporting people to live well while they manage their illness. For example, a cancer patient undergoing treatment can still receive palliative care to help them manage the pain and side- effects of the treatment. This can continue until such time as the patient is in remission or treatment no longer has the desired effect and ongoing care is needed.