If you, or a loved one, has been told that they have a serious illness that cannot be cured, you may be advised to look into Palliative Care.
Palliative care assists people with illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease and end-stage kidney or lung disease to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
For some people, palliative care may be beneficial with a serious life-limiting illness from the time of diagnosis.
Palliative care can be given alongside treatments given by other doctors.
Palliative Care is person and family-centered care that is provided for someone with progressive and advanced disease and for whom the primary goal is now optimising quality of life rather than cure.
Palliative care helps people live their life as fully and comfortably as possible, by identifying needs and effectively treating symptoms. These needs and symptoms may be physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural or social.
Because Palliative Care is based on individual needs, the services offered will differ but may include:
Who is in the Palliative Care team?
Palliative care is provided by a wide range of people, including your GP, palliative care and community nursing, aged care workers, specialists and any other health care provider. Family and friends also have a part to play in supporting those living with a life limiting illness and the carer as well. The community can also support families with a range of support and assistance. Everyone has a part to play in palliative care.
Where is palliative care provided?
Palliative care can be provided where the person and their family wants, where possible. This can include, at home, in hospital, in a hospice or a residential aged care facility. Being able to have palliative care at home can depend on several factors:
How do I get Palliative Care?
For help and information speak to your:
Redgum Medical Group: (02) 6030 5500
NSW Palliative Care After Hours Helpline: 1800 548 225
In An Emergency: 000
Palliative Symptom Management approaches disease in a holistic manner, addressing not only the physical aspect of symptoms but also the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of suffering to work towards symptom relief. Pain is the most common reason for critical care palliative consultation.
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To put good plans in place, you will need to learn more about your condition and understand what you are facing. Your doctor will work with you to help you understand how your condition will progress. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it’s important to learn as much as you can.
These resources are a great starting point for what you may need to consider, and will assist in you in creating a plan.
Disclaimer: Redgum Medical Group provides these links for information purpose only. It is not responsible for the content of these resources.
If you notice any of the links are broken, or would like to suggest additional information resources to be added, please contact us.
To formalise your advance care plan, and to appoint a legally recognised substitute decision maker, the process can differ between states.
The legal document about your health care wishes is called an Advance Care Directive (or other similar term depending on where you live). An advance care directive is often restricted to what treatments you do and not want. Having a comprehensive advance care plan that includes information about your goals of care will help your family and doctors to understand your values, and may help in a broader range of situations.
The legal document about who you want to make health care decisions for you is called an Enduring Power of Attorney (or other similar term depending on where you live). If you want to make sure that doctors listen to the decisions of this person, it is very important to have this document. It is particularly important if the person you want making decisions for you is not your next of kin.
Legal documents are important should you become too unwell to make decisions for yourself some time in the future. If you have no problems communicating and can make your own health decisions, your advance care plan will not need to be used.
Disclaimer: Redgum Medical Group provides these links for information purpose only. It is not responsible for the content of these resources.
If you notice any of the links are broken, or would like to suggest additional information resources to be added, please contact us.
Grief is the normal emotional reaction to loss, but the course and consequences of bereavement will vary for each individual. Palliative care integrates the psychological, spiritual and cultural aspects of care, and offers a support system to help carers and families cope during the person’s illness and in bereavement.
Disclaimer: Redgum Medical Group provides these links for information purpose only. It is not responsible for the content of these resources.
If you notice any of the links are broken, or would like to suggest additional information resources to be added, please contact us.
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