WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?
Palliative care involves providing relief from symptoms of illness while working to find a cure. In most cases, the patient will not have a terminal illness, but one that still requires significant medical treatment and care. Some examples of diseases that may require palliative care are congestive heart failure, stroke recovery, and liver disease.
In general, it is recommended to start palliative care as soon as possible, and it is possible to start it immediately at the time of diagnosis so it can run parallel to the treatment for the illness itself. The palliative care team will offer both medical care and emotional support throughout the treatments with the optimism that the patient will survive.
There are a variety of places that a patient can receive palliative care, ranging from hospitals or nursing homes to their own homes. If the patient has cancer, they may also receive this type of treatment in a specific cancer center. Palliative care can be given by any health care provider, but some specialize in it more than others. These professionals include doctors, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers.
WHAT IS HOSPICE?
Hospice is a type of care that is given to individuals with terminal illnesses that are not expected to survive for more than six months. Typically, hospice care begins when doctors determine the person will not survive the illness and treatment of the disease is stopped. Since hospice patients are not expected to survive, the goal of the treatment is to offer care that will make them as comfortable as possible in their final days. The focus is truly on relieving pain and discomfort by treating symptoms on a day-to-day basis.
How can I get started with hospice care for my loved one?
Please call us 818-644-5357 to discuss your loved one’s needs and schedule an assessment to determine eligibility and develop a personalized care plan.