Palliative Care - Why You Might Need It?

Palliative care is the type of medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. It’s usually considered when treating cancer, AIDS, and other types of chronic illnesses that have no cure. 

The word palliative itself comes from the Latin word palliare, which means to cloak, so it’s designed to help you live with your illness rather than treat it directly and put off all your symptoms until later in life. Here are five reasons why you might need Palliative Care Melbourne in your life.

What is Palliative care and how can it help me?

The goal of palliative care is to offer relief from symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with any life-limiting illness. 

Palliative care can be used at any stage of a disease but is often most helpful when the person's condition has progressed and treatments have stopped working. 

A team of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals will work together in an interdisciplinary fashion to provide symptom relief as well as emotional and spiritual support. For people who may not wish to pursue aggressive treatment or have run out of options, this type of care can help them live their lives as fully as possible.

Many families find it comforting to know that they are not giving up hope on their loved one. If you think that you might need this type of care, talk with your doctor about what your specific situation might entail.

How long will I have to be on Palliative care?

If you are experiencing a terminal illness, you may need to be on Palliative care for the duration of your life. If you are not terminally ill but have a chronic illness that can't be cured, you may need to be on Palliative care for the rest of your life. 

If you're terminally ill and nearing death, an estimate of how long it will take before death is expected would help determine if Palliative care is needed. 

Most people who die from cancer live about six months after diagnosis; most people who die from heart disease or lung cancer live about two years after diagnosis. However, these figures vary widely depending on the patient's general health at the time of diagnosis and other factors. In general, Palliative care is appropriate when symptoms significantly impact quality of life or function in activities of daily living such as self-care or mobility. 

When pain or other symptom becomes so difficult to manage that it affects your ability to work, sleep, eat, or enjoy yourself. When side effects from treatment interfere with day-to-day functioning.

Conclusion

The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life so that someone can live as well as possible for as long as possible. 

Palliative Care Melbourne is not just for those who are terminally ill. Many people in their 40s and 50s need it too.

 It's important to know if you might need palliative care or have a family member who needs it before the symptoms become severe. Early diagnosis makes the most difference. You don't want to wait until you are very sick before making an appointment with your doctor.