Palliative Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Palliative care is a special kind of health care that is given to certain patients and their families. This provides comfort and support to those affected with serious, life-threatening conditions, or who are near the end of life. Palliative care may also be given when caregivers are unsure if someone will get better or worse, or if it seems a person may live for several months or years. It aims to give the best quality of life in physical, psychological (mental), social, emotional, and spiritual ways. Palliative care may be given along with other treatments and may last until the patient's cure or death. This may be provided either at home, within hospitals, or in free-standing health centers or facilities.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of these medicines, the amounts, and when and why the patient needs them. Bring the list of his medicines or the pill bottles when you see his caregivers. Learn why each medicine is used. Ask for information about the medicines. Do not let the patient take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Make sure all medicine is used as directed by caregivers. Call his caregiver if you think the patient's medicines are not helping or if you feel he is having side effects. Do not let the patient quit taking his medicines until he discusses it with his caregiver. If the patient is taking medicines that make him drowsy, do not let him drive or leave him alone.

Follow-up visits:

Keep all appointments. Write down any questions about the patient's condition, treatment, or care. Ask these questions at the next caregiver visit.

Caring for the patient:

• Keep the patient company. Always be willing to listen to the patient, especially if he talks about his life. Do things together such as watching television and reading books, or just stay with the patient.
  
  
• Help the patient to keep his hopes up and keep a positive yet realistic outlook. Help the patient to manage stress, and be relaxed and comfortable. Work together with people whom the patient can trust to help him get through the hard times.
  
  
• Learn more about the patient's condition. Knowing information about the patient's condition can help you better understand what he is going through. Many people want to be included in their treatment and care plan. Avoid holding back information that you think the patient should not, or does not want to hear. Work with caregivers and other people to help the patient.
  
  
• Respect the patient's feelings, other emotions, and need for privacy. Let the person express fears and concerns about dying, such as leaving family and friends behind. Reassure the patient that you will follow and honor his advance directives, such as living wills.

Continuing care:

A caregiver may arrange services to assist the patient's social needs. These may include home care, school or work reentry, transportation, and counseling. A caregiver may also refer the patient to different health care providers and services. These make sure that care given to the patient continues if his condition changes.

Coping:

Counseling and emotional support for patients are given as part of palliative care. They are free to express their thoughts and needs to someone who is willing to listen. A caregiver may talk to the patient, his family, friends, or those who take care of him. Patients and families may join support groups, or meet other patients and families in similar situations. Ask caregivers for more information about support groups.

Legal action:

A special power of attorney may be given to someone who is assigned to take care of the patient and his belongings. Ask caregivers for more information about assigning power of attorney.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The patient cannot or does not want to eat, drink, or take his medicines.
  
  
• The patient cannot make it to his next meeting with his caregiver.
  
  
• The patient has new signs and symptoms since the last time he visited his caregiver.
  
  
• You or the patient have questions or concerns about his condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The patient feels like hurting himself or someone else.
  
  
• The patient feels pain that is not relieved even by taking pain medicines.
  
  
• The patient feels that he cannot cope with his condition.
  
  
• The patient has problems sleeping.
  
  
• The patient has trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Palliative Care (Aftercare Instructions)