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$6.00 US Plus applicable taxes & shipping
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What is Palliative Care?
THIS IS A WONDERFUL OUTLINE AND DEFINITION OF PALLIATIVE CARE, AT THIS GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SITE: (This is great information for everyone, not just seniors)
THIS ALSO IS A WONDERFUL OUTLINE AND DEFINITION OF PALLIATIVE CARE AT, GET PALLIATIVE CARE — CENTRE TO ADVANCE PALLIATIVE CARE:
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/whatis
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS DEFINITION OF PALLIATIVE CARE:
http://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en/
PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARE
There appears to be a large population of people unaware of what Palliative and Hospice care really is.
Palliative care is actually the care that I thought would be routinely given for anyone terminally ill — and this care is also much better and more than I would have ever thought. It is usually free of charge for all terminally ill patients (perhaps depending on Country), as is Hospice and Homecare. There are also many volunteers involved with Hospice.
As a layperson, I would say that Palliative and Hospice care is the terminology used for compassionate, supportive, dignified and specialized end of life care, or for those with a life threatening illness, which we are all entitled to.
And as such, because everyone is entitled to receive care when they are terminally ill and dying, I personally believe that at the moment of terminal diagnosis, Palliative and Hospice care should routinely be the next steps that patients are referred for, including “in-home”. And I really don’t know why it isn’t as such now. There should not be the disjointed distinction inferred and that patients themselves have to seek it out, rather, it should be the natural transition into end of life care. We all want the best care possible for our terminally ill loved ones. Reaching out for these services does not mean that you are giving up hope. Rather it is ensuring that care and comfort is there for your loved one when they need it.
All end of life care should be palliative, including our elderly nearing the end of their precious lives with natural health deterioration, and again I don’t know why this isn’t so now.
As a layperson I would “liken” it to being referred by your family doctor to a specialist for whatever ailment or condition that has arisen, and then being treated by that specialist for the duration. I think of Palliative/Hospice care in much the same way…. specialized care for our loved ones who have a life-threatening condition or who have been diagnosed as terminally ill. And with the added benefit of a whole health team, it is care for the dying with different levels of stage appropriate care by a specialized doctor and/or health team. Some may still continue on with traditional therapies and treatments.
More Hospice are now offering Residential Hospices which is care given in a residential setting for those not able, or wanting, to remain in their own homes and do not wish a hospital setting, which is absolutely wonderful!! This model of care should be greatly expanded with increased Government funding!
Unfortunately, there are limited communities that offer in-home Palliative care as well as limited Residential Hospices. Both of these should be at the top of the list of priorities with Government initiatives and discussions on funding allocations and improving our health care system, especially in light of the aging baby boomer generation! From what I have read and heard on the radio, this model of care is more cost efficient, for what I consider superior care and comfort.
While “in-home” palliative care is limited in availability in different communities, however in Canada, it is also available in long-term care facilities, hospitals and some Hospices. Hospice services are available internationally. Homecare in Ontario is offered through your local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)— elsewhere, contact Hospice or Ministry of Health for information and guidance. All are free of charge for those entitled to it.
I would encourage anyone who has recently been diagnosed with terminal illness, or know someone who has, to ask their doctor about it. And for anyone with aging parents, it would be very benefical to start reading about Palliative and Hospice care at your leisure, so you are well aware and informed of potential future care choices.
This is a great time for people to rally their politicians to enhance and expand, and to implement this exemplary care for everyone nationwide, which apparently has been researched and concluded is more cost effecient than the more inferior alternate options.
Additionally, with our aging baby boomer generation, and the “sandwich crunch” of baby boomers with families who are also having to care for their ailing parents, we all have to pause and take a long hard look at future health care. It needs to be addressed with urgency now and with a working plan implemented for when, and not if, ill health occurs en masse with our aging population. Or we, the baby boomers, will not have anywhere near the proper care we need available to us when we are dying. Unfortunately, it is as simple as that. Palliative/Hospice is specialized care, with pain and symptom management for our dying loved ones. And so much more. And apparently more cost efficient.
No one really wants to sit and think about dying or end of life scenario’s, but it is far more advantageous to be prepared and to know the health care options for our ailing and terminally ill loved ones for their care and comfort, rather than to be taken unawares and unprepared at a moments notice.