Palliative Care

Palliative care is a type of care that increases the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses which focuses on providing patients and their family with the prevention and relief of suffering from the symptoms, pain, and stress of the patients’ illness.

This care is provided at any stage of the illness and includes taking care of the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of the patients and their family.

** Goals of palliative care :

1. Improve quality of life
2. Support for: Physical, social, psychological and spiritual wellbeing of the patient and family

** Target patients :

Patients who have an advanced incurable illness, conditions in which they are at risk of dying from a sudden crisis in their condition or have a life-threatening acute condition.

** What does palliative care include ?

• Managing and treating distressing symptoms such as pain, fatigue, constipation, nausea and vomiting
• Providing information about the illness to the patient and their family to come up with an advanced care plan
• Preparing the patient for end of life
• Evaluating and taking care of psychosocial and spiritual wellbeing such as giving offerings to monks and being visited by a chaplain or spiritual director
• Resolving any family conflicts
• Informing relatives on how to take care of the patient at home
• Visiting patients’ homes