Reaffirming Joy: How Palliative Care Improves Quality of Life

Not every patient with a serious illness is physically or emotionally ready for hospice care. For those still fighting, palliative care can provide the support and care needed to make a life in pain more bearable. This approach aims to improve the quality of life for patients with severe or life-threatening illnesses as well as the lives of those who love them.

What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative methods provide a way to relieve and prevent patient suffering. Illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and others can cause not just physical suffering, but spiritual, social, and psychological pain. It’s not unusual for those facing life-threatening conditions to have insomnia, anxiety, low appetite, or exhaustion. By finding new ways to manage these symptoms, patients are able to better engage with their life and loved ones.

Why Do Palliative Methods Make a Difference?

Palliative care providers provide patients with an option for managing symptoms, pain, and side-effects in a collective manner, even if they're not eligible for hospice. While some patients may have little time left, others are still fighting hard for a cure.

Many patients with serious health problems have complicated symptoms that require treatment by a team of specialists. It may sound strange, but too much healthcare can be a problem. When care becomes disjointed and every symptom is treated separately, it can be frustrating or confusing for the patient.

One might assume that a primary care doctor could be a central point of information, but that's not always feasible. Primary doctors are usually good for referrals but may not understand all the nuances of the illness. They're also unlikely to employ other support professionals that a patient may need, such as spiritual, psychological, or pain specialists. Palliative care focuses on having patients talk to a central doctor who comes to their home to assess their needs. It gives patients suffering from long-term illness a way to have all their questions answered through a single source. With access to spiritual, psychosocial, and physical relief and support, patients can find joy in day-to-day life again.

Receiving Palliative Care

Unlike hospice care, palliative programs are available to patients facing any stage of serious illness. Patients who are still receiving aggressive treatments are eligible for care well before they reach an end-of-life diagnosis. In fact, studies show that early entry into a palliative program may actually extend a person’s lifespan.

Like hospice programs, palliative care is often covered by private and government insurance programs. Some patients may still have to pay deductibles or copays. Before signing up for a palliative program, patients are encouraged to talk to an insurance representative or case manager. They may need a referral from a primary care doctor to receive insurance coverage for the program.

If you or a loved one are interested in palliative care, call us at 912.265.4735. Whether you’re actively looking for a program or just seeking information, our team is happy to discuss the details of our palliative care or hospice programs in southeast coastal Georgia. At Hospice of the Golden Isles, our goal is to help you find the support you need to live life to the fullest.