Palliative care is a fundamental component in providing support and relief to sick people and their families during critical times of health.
Therefore, this care focuses on providing comfort, dignity and help to the patient at all times, promoting their adaptation to the symptoms associated with the disease and contributing to their general well-being.
In this post we explain what palliative care consists of and who it is intended for .
Palliative care contributes to improving quality of life
What is palliative care?
They are an essential branch of medicine that focuses on offering support and comprehensive care to patients facing serious, chronic or terminal illnesses . Palliative care does not seek to cure the disease itself, but rather to improve the quality of life of the sick person and their family. This care has several key objectives and functions:
Relief from suffering
The primary function of palliative care is estonia phone data to relieve patients' suffering. This includes pain control and the effective management of other physical and emotional symptoms that may cause discomfort.
Improving quality of life
Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients, also focusing on other aspects such as spiritual and social well-being . Although the disease may be present, efforts are made to help the patient live as comfortably as possible.
Emotional and psychological support
Palliative care professionals provide support to help patients cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional concerns that may arise due to illness .
Communication and decision making
Palliative care promotes open and honest communication between the patient, their family and the medical team. This allows the patient to make informed decisions about their medical care and disease management.
Preparing for the end of life
In cases of terminal illness , palliative care helps patients and their families plan and emotionally prepare for the dying process. This may include discussions about wishes for medical and comfort care.
Respect for dignity and autonomy
Palliative care ensures that patients maintain their dignity and control over their care . Patient autonomy in decision-making is respected.
Family support
Palliative care not only focuses on the patient, but also provides support to family members , helping them cope with the stress and emotional burden associated with caring for the patient.
Promoting a dignified death
In the final stages of life, palliative care ensures that the patient experiences a peaceful and comfortable death, respecting their wishes and values .