What You Need to Know About Palliative Care

 

If your loved one is battling a serious illness, you may have heard the term “palliative care” from their doctor. It could be a scary word, especially since it is used interchangeably with hospice care. However, there are significant differences between these two types of senior care services. Here’s what you really need to know about palliative care if it is recommended for your senior loved one.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a series of services designed to improve the quality of life for someone with a serious illness. This type of care is all-encompassing and has the opportunity to positively impact the course of the illness with different therapies. Some of the services included in palliative care are medication management, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, 24/7 health monitoring, and both emotional and spiritual therapy. It can be given in conjunction with curative treatment, depending on the illness. Common senior health conditions that can benefit from palliative care include certain types of cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease. The key difference between palliative care and hospice is that palliative care can be administered alongside treatments to potentially cure the illness at hand, whereas hospice is about making the person in care as comfortable as possible throughout their final stages in life.

Why Choose Palliative Care in a Senior Community?

Palliative care offered in a senior community setting can make a big difference for both the resident and their family. Despite popular belief, palliative care is available at any stage of your loved one’s illness. However, it can prove to be the most beneficial right after the initial diagnosis. As mentioned above, palliative care is for those suffering from a serious illness and would like an extra level of emotional support for both themselves and their family. It’s important to note that palliative care can also successfully manage any harmful side effects of the illness, ensuring resident comfort at all times.

Palliative care at UMC at Collingswood

UMC at Collingswood provides palliative care in our specialty care neighborhood, Bridges. When receiving palliative care at Bridges, a team of nurses, therapists, and other health professionals are available 24/7 to attend to your loved one’s needs, as well as your family’s. The palliative care team at Collingswood offers support for families both emotionally and spiritually through counselling, activities, and keeping the line of communication open. Our team of compassionate and experienced professionals takes the time to get to know each resident’s specific needs, wants, and concerns in order to deliver the best care possible. They will talk to you and your loved one often to ensure they are taking the right course of action at all times.

If you are still unsure if your loved one can benefit from palliative care, please give one of the care advisors at Bridges a call today. We will take the time to discuss different options with you, and our on-site medical professional can make their best recommendation after performing a thorough evaluation of your senior loved one.

For more information on palliative care in Camden County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/collingswood/

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/collingswood/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-palliative-care/