Definition of Palliative Care:
Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach to specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, physical, and mental stress of a serious illness-whatever the diagnosis. In this article I have presented the 5 basic principles of palliative care at the end of life care.
5 Basic Principles of Palliative Care:
The following five principles of palliative care describe what care can and should be like for everyone facing the end of life. Some of these ideas may seem simple or just common sense.
1. Palliative care respects the goals, likes, and choices of the dying person. It…
- Respects patient needs and wants as well as those of his family and other loved ones.
- Helps him figure out what is important.
- Tries to meet his likes and dislikes: where he gets health care, where he wants to live, and the kinds of services he wants.
- Helps the patient works together with his/her health care provider and health plan to solve problems.
- Helps the patient to understand his/her illness and what he can expect in the future.
2. Palliative care looks after the medical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the dying person. It…
- Knows that dying is an important time for the patient and his family.
- Offers ways for the patient to be comfortable and ease pain and other physical discomfort.
- Helps him and his family make needed changes if the illness gets worse.
- Makes sure that he is not alone.
- Understands there may be difficulties, fears, and painful feelings.
- Gives him the chance to say and do what matters most to him.
- Helps him look back on his life and make peace, even giving him a chance to grow.
3. Palliative care supports the needs of the family members. It…
- Understands that families and loved ones need help, too.
- Offers support services to family caregivers, such as time off for rest, and advice and support by telephone.
- Knows that care giving may put some family members at risk of getting sick themselves. It plans for their special needs.
- Finds ways for family members to cope with the costs of care giving, like loss of income, and other expenses.
- Helps family and loved ones as they grieve.
4. Palliative care helps gain access to needed health care providers and appropriate care 0 settings. It…
- Uses many kinds of trained care providers-doctors, nurses, pharmacists, clergy, social workers, and personal care givers.
- Makes sure, if necessary, someone is in charge of seeing that your needs are met.
- Helps the patient use hospitals, home care, hospice, and other services, if needed.
- Tailors options to the needs of him and his family.
5. Palliative care builds ways to provide excellent care at the end of life. It..
- Helps care providers learn about the best ways to care for dying people. It gives them the education and support they need.
- Works to make sure there are good policies and laws in place.
- Seeks funding by private health insurers, health plans, and government agencies.
Maria Khatun Mona is a Founder and Editor of Nursing Exercise Blog. She is a Nursing and Midwifery Expert. Currently she is working as a Registered Nurse at Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has great passion in writing different articles on Nursing and Midwifery. Mail her at “maria.mona023@gmail.com”