What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a care service carried out by a palliative team for patients and families suffering from chronic diseases who have a low life expectancy and aims to reduce suffering, provide comfort and ultimately allow the patient to die with dignity.
The palliative team consists of palliative doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists and clergy.
What are the scopes of palliative care?
- Medical problems : pain, wound care, sleep problems, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, constipation, and nausea or vomiting, bleeding
- Psychosocial problems : depression, denial, anxiety, caregiver burnout, lack of family support.
- Nursing issues: caregivers, home care needs and equipment
- Spiritual issues : preparing patients and families to accept their condition and face death.
What diseases require palliative care?
Adults and children
- Cancer
- Non-cancer:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Chronic heart disease
- HIV and AIDS
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Congenital disorders
- Developmental problems
Types of palliative care services:
- Palliative polyclinic
- Integrated inpatient care
- Home Visit
If you & your loved ones need palliative care, immediately check into Grha Kedoya Hospital for further consultation with our best specialist doctors. To get the right & fast care and treatment.
Article written by Dr. Maureen Lukman, FIPM ( Palliative Doctor, EMC Grha Kedoya Hospital)