It is hard to think about but, unfortunately, there will come a time in your life when members of your close family may be faced with the challenges of an incurable or life-limiting illness. Even if your family members are elderly, this time of their life can be incredibly upsetting and handling this situation can be very difficult. 

You may have heard of the terms palliative care or end of life care and feel you don’t know much about them. People often find these terms confusing and don’t understand exactly what they are. To help anyone that requires more information about palliative care Safehands Live In Care have explained everything you need to know about this care and explained why it is important. 

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is a treatment/approach that aims to improve the quality of life of patients who are facing the problems associated with life-threatening illnesses. This type of care also provides support for their family and friends, you may sometimes hear it referred to as ‘supportive care’.

Palliative care is there to help patients have a good quality of life, this includes being as active as possible in the time they have left. The caregiver’s duties will include managing physical symptoms such as pain, providing emotional, spiritual and psychological support, general care including things like washing, dressing or eating and also being there for family and friends.

People can receive palliative care at any stage in their illness. Having palliative care doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re likely to die soon, some people receive palliative care for years. It is important to remember that you can have palliative care alongside treatments, therapies and medicines aimed at controlling your illness.

Is it the same as end of life care?

Simply put, palliative care is a form of end of life care. People who are coming to the end of their life may choose palliative care to help make them comfortable. Often people who are thought to be in the last year of life turn to palliative care, but this timeframe can be difficult to predict. It may be the case that some people only receive end of life palliative care in their last weeks or days. 

When choosing palliative care towards the end of life it can also involve support with practical things like writing a will, or getting financial support. Not to mention, it will also involve explaining and discussing what to expect towards the end of life. The caregivers looking after your loved one will ensure that they consider your needs and wishes at all times. 

Why is palliative care important?

We cannot stress how important palliative care is. Those who have experienced this type of care themselves, or for their loved ones, have had incredible support through some of the hardest times in their lives. Ultimately, it provides a higher quality of life for everyone affected by the illness that is being experienced. 

When a patient is seriously ill, they will understand the value of each day. While they have no choice but to face their illness, the support of palliative care can control the pain and help other symptoms which will, in turn, make each day a more positive experience. It allows people to make the most of the time they have with their families and friends.

Some say that palliative care is the only thing that gets them through this incredibly difficult time and although every situation may be different the tailored palliative care that they are provided with can make a real difference. There are no negatives to palliative care and its importance should never be overlooked, it has the power to change the last months of life for your loved one. 

How can I arrange palliative care?

If a member of your family is diagnosed with an incurable illness, and you think that palliative care could make a real difference to their life, then there are many different companies who will be able to provide the care you are looking for. Always ensure that you do your research and explore all of your options, after all, you will want only the best for them. 

Here at Safehands Live In Care, we are a live-in care company that offer numerous palliative care services. We can provide you with everything up to 24-hour nursing care at home, tailoring our service to meet your loved one’s needs. Our experienced team will provide one-on-one specialist care and support to you and your loved one whenever required. When searching for part or full-time home care, you can trust that your loved one will be in safe hands with our incredible team.