What is Palliative Care?
According to a 2020 WHO report, an estimated 56.8 million people worldwide need palliative care annually. This highlights the vast number of individuals who can benefit from this specialised approach.
Derived from the word “palliate,” meaning “to ease,” palliative care aims to ease suffering and improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, dementia, chronic conditions or motor neurone disease.
Unlike hospice care, which primarily focuses on end-of-life comfort, palliative care is available at any stage of a life-limiting disease. It offers comprehensive support, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This care extends to both patients and their families.
You can receive palliative care in various settings for your comfort. This includes your home, hospitals, or nursing homes. This care offers support and comfort to you and your loved ones.
How Palliative Care Can Support You
Caring for a loved one with a serious illness can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to carry this burden alone. Palliative care offers a helping hand, guiding you through this challenging journey.
Gain Time for Yourself
A dedicated palliative care team can assist with daily tasks like bathing or medication management. This frees up precious time for you to rest, recharge, and focus on your own well-being. A well-rested caregiver is a more effective caregiver.
Manage Your Stress and Symptoms
Palliative care teams work collaboratively with you and your loved one. They focus on symptom management to improve overall comfort. This can include measures to address pain, fatigue, anxiety, and even improve appetite and mood.
Holistically Care for Loved Ones
Palliative care complements existing treatments from your doctor, but goes beyond. It takes a holistic approach, incorporating physical exercises, mental and emotional support, and even spiritual guidance, all aimed at enhancing your loved one’s overall quality of life.
Bring You Hope and a Sense of Purpose
Palliative care isn’t just about managing symptoms. It also helps you and your loved one maintain a sense of hope. The care team can organise therapeutic activities like art, music, or writing. These activities can shift focus towards what truly matters: cherishing meaningful relationships and finding joy in life’s simple pleasures.
When to Start Palliative Care
Contrary to common belief, palliative care isn’t just for patients nearing the end of life. This specialised support can significantly enhance the quality of life at any stage of a serious illness, even soon after diagnosis. By starting early, you and your loved ones can receive the guidance and support needed to cope with the challenges ahead, maximising comfort and well-being throughout the journey.
Where to Find Palliative Care for Loved Ones
Palliative care isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s a flexible support service designed to meet you and your loved one exactly where you are, throughout all stages of palliative care.
Whether at home, in the hospital, or even in a nursing facility, we at Beacon Support can deliver palliative care to you and your loved ones.
Hospitals
Palliative care can be integrated into a hospital stay, providing additional support and symptom management alongside ongoing medical treatment. If your loved one is already hospitalised, we at Beacon Support can work within the hospital setting to complement their existing care plan.
Home Care
Many families choose palliative home care (also known as domiciliary care) for their loved ones. This option allows your loved one to receive expert care and regular visits from our healthcare team in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. This eliminates the stress and inconvenience of travelling to hospitals or nursing homes for appointments.
Nursing Homes
You can also access the comfort and support of palliative care in other settings, such as nursing homes and clinics. Here, your loved one can meet new friends, making them feel comforted and less alone in their struggles.
No matter where you choose to receive palliative care, Beacon Support can be your partner in this journey. We offer a comprehensive care approach that can be tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
How to Receive Palliative Care for Loved Ones
Palliative care can be a huge support for you or a loved one facing a serious illness. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Here’s how you can access palliative care.
Step 1: Talk to Your Doctor
The first step is often to talk with your doctor about your specific needs and whether palliative care would be beneficial. They can also provide referrals to qualified palliative care specialists.
Step 2: Consider the Setting
Palliative care can be provided in various settings to suit your preferences. Choose a home care service that’s a registered NDIS service provider near your home address.
Step 3: Referral Process
The steps in obtaining a palliative care referral may vary depending on your healthcare provider and location. Your doctor can guide you through the necessary procedures.
Beacon Support: Your Reliable Palliative Care Team
At Beacon Support, your loved one is in safe hands with our caring healthcare professionals. Our shared vision is to improve your loved one’s quality of life and give you peace of mind. We work together to care for you holistically.
Our palliative care team and roles:
- Doctors and Specialists: Oversee medical care, diagnose conditions, and manage treatment plans.
- Nutritionists and Nutritional Support: Provide dietary advice and meal plans to ensure proper nutrition.
- Nurses: Deliver day-to-day medical care, manage symptoms, and offer support
- Aged Care Workers: Assist with daily activities and personal care.
- Social Workers: Offer emotional support, counselling, and help with accessing community resources.
- Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists: Create exercise programs to maintain mobility and physical function.
- Occupational and Speech Therapists: Help improve daily living and communication abilities
- Psychologists: Provide mental health support and counselling
- Trained Volunteers: Offer companionship and assist with non-medical tasks
Although we have different roles, our expertise can help alleviate your loved one’s pain and comfort them.
Learn More About Palliative Care and Empower Your Care Journey
With over 50 years of combined experience in the care industry, we assure you that palliative care is not about giving up on treatment. It’s about fighting alongside your loved one in their battle against illness.
We’re committed to giving you the comfort and care that you deserve. We can also help you explore if NDIS funding can be used to cover some palliative care services.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re committed to empowering you with information and support as you navigate this journey.
