What is palliative care?
If you think this means someone is dying, you’re not alone.
It’s strange how the term palliative care seems to be universally understood but not many really know what it means. If you talk to a medical or health professional, this type of care has a different definition.
It could just mean that someone needs additional care procedures than usual. Therefore, if your doctor recommends you for palliative care Australia centres provide, don’t be alarmed.
It is understandable, however, why most people associate this type of service with dying. After all, it is often given to people with serious illness. That’s not a reason to worry, though.
The best thing to do is to understand what palliative care really means from a healthcare perspective instead of listening to what other people say. Some of them often have a narrow, outdated, and inaccurate understanding.
More than just nursing care
A comprehensive palliative care in Australia not only involves nurses but a multidisciplinary team of experts. On top of a nurse assisting in your daily activities, counsellors, social workers, and volunteers are also available to respond to the needs of someone like you who have a serious illness. See more here Arcare Glenhaven
More than just pain relief
It’s a long-held belief that palliative care simply aims to alleviate the pain. True. But it also involves managing symptoms to ensure a person’s quality of life. Can you imagine how bad you’d feel if your nausea and vomiting are not managed? It will cause your health to deteriorate much faster.
People with serious illness often suffer side effects from the medication they take. Their disease may also complicate and bring in additional symptoms. Palliative care will help mitigate such concerns.
Not a place to wait for your life to end
Palliative care is also called end-of-life-care, where people are attended by a team in a hospital or hospice as they await their last days. But combined with other medical support, the team manages their symptoms properly. Family support is also provided.
