Palliative Care: looking at the whole person
We all want the best for our loved ones…
For all of us who have parents and other loved ones dealing with serious illness, I want to share with you a relatively new term in Western medicine -- Palliative Care. With all the incredible specialists that my father saw over his cancer journey, no one was looking at the whole person. If someone had looked at all of his symptoms holistically our experience would have been different. The silos of specialization, common in our health care system, can often leave families with conflicting information and advice. Palliative Care can help patients and their families not only understand and evaluate their treatment options but also navigate the health system overall.
WHY is Palliative Care important?
WHAT is Palliative Care anyway?
WHEN do you access Palliative Care?
HOW can you access Palliative Care?
WHY: Palliative Care is important because it treats symptoms and stress caused by serious illness which directly impacts quality of life. None of us deserve to live in constant pain or stress. If these symptoms aren't monitored and addressed, they can lead to other possibly avoidable issues. Why wait?
WHAT: Palliative Care is Western medicine's answer to holistic care to treat the symptoms caused by serious illness -- including but not limited to cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. It is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, and specialists who work with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.
WHEN: Palliative Care can start AS SOON AS a diagnosis is received. You and your loved ones don't have to wait. While hospice teams also use a Palliative Care approach it is not exclusive to post-treatment. It can occur alongside curative disease treatments as an added layer of support.
HOW: Ask questions. Ask your doctor for a referral to a Palliative Care team. Many hospitals and clinics already have them established. Care can also be provided in your home. (It is sometimes referred to as Supportive Care.) Most insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid cover Palliative Care. You can learn more and search for local providers/resources here: www.getpalliativecare.org.
