Palliative care can help to improve the quality of life of both the terminally ill and their caregivers by relieving pain and other symptoms, providing psychosocial support, and treating comorbidities such as depression and anxiety. This article will explore what Melbourne Palliative Care is, who needs it, how to get it, and much more!
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a philosophy of medicine that focuses on caring for and supporting people who are experiencing serious illnesses. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life by relieving pain and stress, providing emotional support, ensuring spiritual well-being, and helping patients set their own priorities for treatment. Palliative care takes into account all aspects of an individual’s experience as they confront a serious illness. In most cases, palliative care is a collaborative approach between primary care providers (like internists) and specialists such as oncologists or cardiologists.
Who can benefit from palliative care?
While traditional medicine focuses on treating and curing diseases, palliative care is all about making patients feel comfortable. Palliative care can be given to anyone dealing with a serious illness, including people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and heart disease. Sometimes it’s even used as an addition to more traditional treatment. Though Melbourne Palliative Care won’t cure your condition, it will make you feel better physically, emotionally, and spiritually while helping you get your affairs in order.
When is it time for palliative care?
The first step in receiving palliative care is talking with your doctor. According to Medicare, you should ask if a palliative care consultation is right for you when you’re initially diagnosed with a serious condition that has a prognosis of fewer than 12 months. If your doctor thinks it’s a good idea, he or she will make a referral for you—and possibly connect you with local resources for additional support. Most communities have hospice services; these are places where people can live out their final days. Your physician may also be able to make arrangements for more specialized palliative care in other locations, as well.
How does someone access palliative care services?
If you or a loved one are diagnosed with a serious illness, it’s important to learn about palliative care services. The best way to access palliative care is through your primary care physician. Your doctor will refer you to another specialist (called a consult) who can help get you started with any necessary treatments and answer any questions that you may have. Your doctors may also be able to connect you with other resources in your community, such as social workers, hospice programs, or home health agencies that offer ongoing support for people receiving palliative care.
Conclusion
As discussed above, Melbourne Palliative Care is a specialized medical field that focuses on improving the quality of life for those who are nearing death and suffering from terminal illnesses. Palliative care goes beyond traditional medical treatment and gives patients an alternative to hospice. While it can be used as a primary treatment plan, palliative care is often used in conjunction with other treatments when regular medical treatment has failed or will not be successful in treating an illness. It’s important to understand that palliative care is different from hospice because while both focus on easing symptoms and improving comfort, they use different methods to achieve these goals. With that being said, below are some additional resources for you if you’re considering palliative care as an option for yourself or a loved one.
