What Is Palliative Care Services?

Palliative care services provide relief for individuals living with terminal or chronic illnesses, focusing on reducing symptoms and stress. The goal of the palliative care team is to enhance the quality of life for both patients and their families. Palliative care is appropriate at any age or stage of illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments.

A specially trained group of doctors, nurses, and other professionals works with the patient’s doctor to offer an extra layer of palliative care support. This care is based on the patient’s individual needs, not just their prognosis. Home health palliative care services are available for those who prefer to receive care in their homes.

Palliative care at home is often provided for patients suffering from illnesses like:

• Lung disease
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Heart disease
• Kidney failure
• HIV/AIDS
• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Palliative home care services can begin at the time of diagnosis, during treatment, or at any point during the illness, including end-of-life care.

Choosing long-term palliative care offers numerous benefits, including:

• • Improved Quality of Life:

    Palliative care providers focus on alleviating the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses such as heart failure, cancer, ALS, and kidney disease. Their goal is to improve the patient’s daily life.

Alignment with Treatment Goals:

• • The palliative care team takes time to understand and align the treatment options with the patient’s personal goals. This ensures the patient retains control over their care and life decisions.

Relief from Stress and Symptoms:

• • Palliative care helps manage symptoms like difficulty sleeping, shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety, pain, and more. The care aims to ease suffering and improve the patient’s overall well-being.

Collaboration with Primary Physicians:

• Palliative care providers work closely with the patient’s primary doctor, offering additional palliative care support. This collaboration ensures the best care for the patient while providing emotional and practical support for the family.

Studies show that patients receiving palliative care services often live longer and experience a higher quality of life than those who do not.

For those seeking palliative care in Salt Lake City, Inspiration Hospice offers comprehensive home health palliative care. Our team partners with the patient’s primary physician to develop personalized care plans that address the unique needs of each patient. We are dedicated to providing compassionate care wherever the patient calls home.

If you or a loved one is facing a serious illness, speak with a palliative care provider. Palliative care can be started at any point during an illness to provide comfort and support.

Have questions about whether it’s the right time for palliative care? Contact us today for a consultation, and we’ll guide you through the process of understanding and accessing the right palliative home care services for your needs.