If a doctor suggests palliative care for a loved one, what would your gut reaction be? Would you instantly think there was no longer any hope for a cure? Would it bring feelings of fear, anxiety, and denial?
Many people confuse palliative and hospice care, believing the two to be synonymous. However, there’s quite a big difference between the two. With palliative care, the purpose is to bring relief from symptoms such as pain, vomiting and nausea that result from either a disease or from the treatment for that disease. Sometimes this does occur at the end of life – but not always.
Dr. Eric Widera, who practices palliative care at the University of California, San Francisco, explains, “We hear this all the time: ‘They’re not ready for palliative care,’ as if it’s a stage people have to accept, as opposed to something that should be a routine part of care.”
And although palliative care, like hospice care, focuses on improving quality of life, it’s beneficial at any stage in a patient’s illness for symptom management and can be used in tandem with curative treatments.
Studies are showing a myriad of benefits for patients and their families who choose palliative care, including significantly higher scores on quality of life assessments, less prevalence of depression and emergency room visits, and even longer survival rates.
Contact Heaven at Home Senior Care to find out how we can further assist with improving quality of life for seniors through services such as:
- Personal care and hygiene assistance
- Medication assistance
- Shopping and running errands
- Transportation to and from appointments
- Companionship and conversation
- Planning and preparing meals, and providing assistance with eating
Our services for Denton home care allow family caregivers in Denton and the surrounding areas the chance to take a much-deserved break, knowing their loved one is receiving the very best care. To learn more about our in-home care services, including Denton hospice care, you can reach us any time at 866-381-0500. We look forward to the opportunity to serve your family.