I AM A PATIENT
Palliative care provides high quality health care to people living with a life-limiting illness to live as comfortable as they can by managing pain and symptoms amd ensures that their quality of life is maintained.
What will palliative care give me?
Palliative care aims to treat or manage pain and other physical symptoms. It will also help with any psychological, social or spiritual needs. Treatment will involve medicines, therapies, and any other support that specialist teams believe will help their patients. It includes caring for people who are nearing the end of life. This is called end of life care.
The goal is to help you and everyone affected by your diagnosis to achieve the best quality of life. You might receive palliative care alongside particular treatments, therapies and medicines, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
How do I get it?
Your nearby hospitals are providing palliative care. To know which organizations are providing palliative care Click here
You can also contact us for further information.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends on the hospital or hospice care organizations that is providing palliative care.
Who provides it?
Palliative care is multidisciplinary team care – so care is shared between a range of providers from specialists to General Practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals and social workers.
Who will help my family when I am gone?
Palliative care also supports family members and other carers. There are a number of support services for people who are grieving and facing distresses.
Common myths about palliative care
Palliative care is often misunderstood and some people believe things about it that aren’t true.
MYTH: If I need palliative care it means I’ll have to go to a hospice
You can receive palliative care in a range of settings including in your home, in hospital, in a care home or a hospice and can be offered by palliative care organizations.
MYTH: If I have palliative care it means my doctors have given up and I’ll no longer receive active treatment for my illness
You can receive palliative care alongside active treatments for your illness, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
MYTH: If I have palliative care I’ll no longer be seen by other specialists who know about my particular disease
You can receive support alongside treatment from the clinicians who have been treating your particular illness.
MYTH: Palliative care is just about treating pain and other physical symptoms
It aims to give a holistic approach to give you the best quality of life possible. This means caring for all your physical, emotional, psychological, social and other needs.
MYTH: Only people who are ill or dying can benefit from palliative care
Palliative care teams are very aware that caring for someone with an advanced illness can have a big impact on family members and friends. They do what they can to help people cope.
References
Marie Curie 2018. ‘What are palliative care and end of life care?’, viewwed 21 May, 2018, <https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/diagnosed/recent-diagnosis/palliative-care-end-of-life-care>