Palliative medicine is an important and increasingly relevant field of healthcare that focuses on providing comfort and support to individuals who are living with a terminal or life-altering illness. Many senior citizens have been forced to grapple with end-of-life considerations as they grow older, potentially feeling isolated by the wealth of information. Still, there are many resources available to help them through this difficult process. This post from Senior Helpers McKinney will dive deep into what palliative medicine is and the many benefits that it offers to senior adults.
What Is Palliative Medicine?
Palliative care is a special type of medical care focusing on symptom relief and improving the quality of life for people living with serious illnesses, such as cancer or other long-term diseases. The goal of palliative care is to address the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs that accompany such an illness.
Unlike hospice, which focuses on end-of-life care for those who are expected to only have six months or less to live, palliative medicine can be provided at any stage in a person's journey – from diagnosis through treatment or during recovery from an illness. It also includes prevention and management of side effects associated with particular treatments or medications, as well as pain management strategies.
What Are the Goals of Palliative Medicine?
The primary goal of palliative care is to provide relief from pain and other uncomfortable symptoms, according to the Marshfield Clinic Health System. This allows people with serious illnesses to be more comfortable during their treatment or as they age and approach the end of life.
Palliative medicine also strives to enhance the quality of life by helping individuals maintain independence, dignity, and autonomy for as long as possible. It can do this by encouraging open dialogue between patients, families, and healthcare teams and letting everyone express their needs, wishes, desires, and values in a respectful environment.
Benefits of Palliative Medicine
Palliative care enables senior adults to live life on their own terms so they can focus on what matters most to them. It gives seniors and families the chance to explore choices in an honest and supportive forum, which is especially important when you are facing end-of-life decisions or difficult treatment plans.
Palliative medicine also allows seniors to remain connected with their family members by providing emotional support for both patients and their caregivers, offering help with daily activities (such as dressing and eating), reuniting families for visits, and providing a listening ear during stressful moments in conversation.
Senior Helpers Provides Premium Senior Care
For seniors and caregivers living with serious illnesses, palliative care can provide much-needed emotional and physical support. The goal of Senior Helpers McKinney is to help our clients in and around the McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Prosper, and Wylie areas find the best possible care. If you have any questions about palliative medicine or how we can help you find the right care solution for your loved one, contact Senior Helpers today!