Our palliative care nurses can help your loved one to rest comfortably while they work through their illness, regardless of the stage of their diagnosis.
When a loved one becomes seriously ill, there are so many questions and concerns to take into consideration. It is a difficult, emotional and emotionally stressful time for not only the patient but also for their family and loved ones. Ultimately, we want our loved one to rest comfortably while they work through their illness, regardless of the stage of their diagnosis. In home, palliative care nurses can help.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for individuals suffering from serious illness. The focus of palliative care providers is on quality of life and integrating the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects of care. Palliative care is applicable for any age; at any stage of serious illness. This specialized care is provided by a trained medical professional, typically a registered nurse, together with their curative treatment plan.
Is Hospice Palliative Care?
Hospice is a type of palliative care provided when curative treatment is no longer desired or beneficial, and when life expectancy is estimated in months (or less). Hospice supports patients and their families while focusing on symptom relief and comfort during the end of life phase of a serious illness.
Unlike hospice, which focuses on the end of life care, palliative care can be provided whether the patient is suffering from a potentially curable, chronic, or life-threatening illness. Regardless of the illness or diagnosis, palliative care focuses on providing patients with relief and release from the stress and symptoms associated with a serious illness.
The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life not only for the patient but also for their family and loved ones. A palliative care team works with a patient and their family to define goals of care based on the patient’s values and what is medically applicable for their specific illness.
Who Needs Palliative Care?
Regardless of age, any individual suffering from a serious, chronic, or terminal illness can benefit from a palliative care plan. Palliative care focuses on symptoms such as pain management, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, depression, difficulty sleeping, and more. It also helps patients gain the strength and will to proceed with their daily routine while alleviating the emotional stress for family and personal caregivers.
Benefits of palliative care include:
- Medically trained professionals to manage medical, social, emotional, and spiritual care to improve quality of life during treatment.
- Guidance and support in dealing with individual healthcare needs and the healthcare system.
- Individualised palliative care plans provided in the comforts of your home, or other outpatient treatment facility.
- Relief of emotional stress for the patient and their loved ones.
- Expert treatment and monitoring of symptoms and pain.
- Alleviating the side effects of curative treatments (such as relieving nausea associated with chemotherapy, etc.).
- A holistic approach focusing on all aspects of the patient’s life and well-being (i.e. physical, social, emotional and spiritual).
- Taking back control of your care by improving your understanding of treatment options.
- Caregiver support provided by medically licensed nurses with access to community resources.
- Reduction or elimination of unwanted hospital visits.
Palliative Care Home Nursing Services
At Nightingale Home Nursing, we deliver a compassionate approach to the end of life care, enhancing the quality of remaining life and enabling you to live your life as fully and as comfortably as possible. Our palliative care home nursing service offers a more dignified and comfortable approach than provided in the hospital. Our goal is to provide comfort and quality of life in your home environment, relieving stress for both the patient and their family.
Nightingale DHA registered nurses provided palliative care to make your experience less stressful. Through our holistic approach, our nurses will monitor symptoms and medications, and help educate both patient and their family about what is happening through the course of their diagnosis and treatments. Palliative care nurses also serve as a link between the patient, their family, and the physician.
Please contact us to learn more about how our palliative care home nursing services can help with your care.
