Ensuring a patient's quality of life is a challenge that requires teamwork . Specialists, doctors, and social workers can do a lot to improve their well-being. This is the basis of so-called "palliative care."
Palliative care helps patients feel better in every way. It is provided by doctors, psychologists, and, of course, caregivers.
Let's learn what palliative care is, what it includes, and what role a caregiver can play throughout this process.
What is palliative care?
Some treatments involve certain side effects, as well as symptoms that could affect patients' daily lives . This is where this type of intervention comes in.
Palliative care helps people with serious illnesses feel better by preventing or treating the symptoms and side effects of the illness and treatment.
Their goal is to make the patient feel better. To achieve this, they focus primarily on symptoms and side effects .
The problems of a patient with palliative care may include:
- Emotional (fear, anxiety, depression)
- Spiritual (hopelessness, containment)
- Physical (pain, trouble sleeping, lack of appetite)
- Social (accompaniment, recreation, leisure)
- Practical (money, legal framework, procedures )
Furthermore, they have the advantage that they can be provided concurrently with disease-specific treatments, as well as preventively and even toward the end of life.
Who provides palliative care and in what cases?
Palliative care has proven so effective that it can even be used for diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, dementia, HIV, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Palliative care can be offered in hospitals, home health agencies, oncology clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Palliative care can be provided by:
- Physical assistants.
- Nurses.
- Massage therapists.
- Doctors.
- Certified nutritionists.
- Social workers.
- Psychologists.
- Priests.
- Caregivers.
What is the role of a caregiver in palliative care?
The caregiver can play a key role in palliative care , considering that an illness can affect all areas of personal and family life.
Caregivers are active participants, mediators and facilitators in palliative care.
In each of the types of problems, the caregiver would have an important role:
- Emotional (fear, anxiety, depression). The caregiver knows their patient in many ways and will notice certain changes in their behavior.
- Spiritual (hopelessness, containment). If caregiver and patient share the same belief system, this can be an advantage.
- Physical (pain, sleep problems, loss of appetite). She excels at managing medication administration, schedules, and nutrition.
- Social (companionship, recreation, leisure). This is where the role of caregivers is perhaps most noticeable than ever, as they are often the patient's main companions and allies in their recreational activities.
- Practical (money, legal framework, procedures). Caregivers are often skilled administrators and provide key support when it comes to procedures.
The role of the caregiver when the patient's condition is physical
If the illness has been very severe and required prolonged rest, the patient may feel and look weakened.
Providing comfort, convenience, and dignity during palliative care are three elements that can make this situation more bearable.
To achieve this, in addition to comfort and affection, you can provide accessories such as pillows and cushions for better rest, supplies for daily hygiene, and personal care items to protect your baby's skin from infections if they suffer from incontinence or are in a state of prostration at risk of bedsores and pressure ulcers.
Find the best solutions for your loved ones in TheraMart's collection of senior care products.
As a caregiver, you are essential during palliative care.
Caregivers are the before, during, and after of palliative care and, in fact, are present throughout a patient's entire journey .
The most important thing is to know that this care exists, who can provide it, and, of course, to rely on it as often as necessary. The patient will appreciate it.
