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Discover this compassionate caregiving approach, designed to provide comfort and holistic support to patients facing terminal illnesses and their families.

Palliative care is a crucial aspect of healthcare for patients facing serious illness. It is characterised by its holistic approach, focusing not on curing the illness but on ensuring the highest possible quality of life. This is achieved through effective pain and symptom management while minimising the side effects of medications. Palliative care also addresses other dimensions of a patient’s well-being, including how they are cared for at home.

Palliative care is sometimes associated with end-of-life care, but it can be introduced at any point in the illness trajectory, regardless of a patient’s prognosis or stage of treatment. This contrasts with hospice care, which is typically reserved for patients nearing the end of life.

This approach extends to providing psychological, social and spiritual support — not just for the patient but also for their family and caregivers. Such comprehensive support is possible thanks to multi-disciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, counsellors, dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

At Parkway Cancer Centre (PCC), our dedicated palliative care team works closely with medical and radiation oncologists, alongside allied health professionals, to achieve optimal pain relief and symptom control. We aim to alleviate symptoms effectively by integrating specialised palliative care with oncological expertise. At the same time, we support caregivers who often face significant emotional and practical challenges while caring for their loved ones with serious illnesses.

FIVE ELEMENTS OF PALLIATIVE CARE

There are five main elements of palliative care:

• Planning: Palliative care is patient-centric, meaning care plans are tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of each patient and their family. Patients may create a comprehensive care plan with their doctor, detailing immediate and future healthcare needs. This plan includes treatment preferences and where they wish to receive care. It also involves making critical decisions like advanced directives or establishing a Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure their wishes are honoured.

  During these conversations, care teams and patients engage in open and honest communication, ensuring that patients understand their condition, treatment options and what to expect. Patients and their loved ones are empowered to make informed decisions aligned with their values and goals, ensuring dignity and autonomy throughout the care journey.

• Pain management: Palliative care helps patients, especially those with advanced cancers, manage their pain and minimise the side effects of medications. Drugs may be titrated based on the patient’s pain level and treatment effectiveness. A significant aspect of effective pain management in palliative care involves educating both patients and caregivers.
  
  By providing comprehensive education, individuals gain a deeper understanding of their pain, the potential side effects of pain medications, and various pain management techniques. This knowledge empowers patients to actively participate in their treatment plans, fostering better compliance with medication regimes and enhancing their ability to communicate effectively with healthcare providers about their pain experiences. Caregivers equipped with this information can offer valuable support, ensuring a holistic approach to managing pain that prioritises the patient’s comfort and quality of life.

• Symptom relief: Palliative care improves a patient’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. The care team can provide direct care and teach patients everyday strategies to help them feel better. For example, they may provide relaxation and breathing exercises to manage anxiety, while nutrition guidance can help with symptoms such as constipation and a lack of appetite.

• Managing emotions: Living with a serious illness can be frightening and raise various emotional issues. Palliative care helps manage these; care teams are trained to listen to, and support patients as they express their fears and concerns about treatment and their prognosis. Social workers, counsellors and spiritual advisors provide emotional support through therapy, chaplaincy services or complementary therapies such as massage or music therapy, helping patients and families prepare for future challenges.

• Supporting treatment: The care team offers various services tailored to meet individual needs. Home care is another form of palliative care, where patients are cared for at home, with regular check-ins from care teams. The PCC Homecare team can help evaluate and determine a patient’s nursing and equipment needs and connect them with the appropriate service providers. The care team also supports acquiring necessary home care equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs and oxygen concentrators, to enhance comfort and mobility at home.

Ultimately, palliative care is not just about managing illness but about enriching the lives of patients and their families in the face of serious health challenges. By fostering a compassionate environment and providing comprehensive support, palliative care team ensure that patients can focus on living their lives with dignity and comfort. The commitment to holistic care, tailored to individual needs and preferences, underscores the profound impact palliative care has on enhancing the overall well-being of those it serves. Through this approach, palliative care transforms the healthcare experience, offering a beacon of hope and relief during the most challenging times.

WHY IT MATTERS

A 2021 study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology found that palliative care had the following benefits:

• Improved quality of life
• Physical and spiritual well-being
• Greater patient and caregiver satisfaction