Palliative care is active, total care with the goal to achieve the best quality of life and reduce pain and stress. Palliative care is appropriate for patients of any age and at any stage of their illness.
A palliative care team of doctors, nurses, social workers and others may work together to determine the best approach to help improve your quality of life. This often involves symptom control, patient and family support, and trying to best understand an individual’s goals for care.
Symptoms addressed by palliative care may include:
- Difficulties with side effects from IV PH medications
- Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Stress and depression
- Fluid issues
- Other symptoms that may or may not be related directly to your PH
Video: How palliative care can improve quality of life.
The right time for palliative care
Palliative care is based on need, not prognosis. Palliative care should be considered when there is a change in your health status, when pulmonary hypertension therapies are not tolerated or when lung transplant is not an option. However, palliative care specialists may be consulted at any stage in your diagnosis. You and your doctor can determine the appropriate time for palliative care to become part of your health care plan.
This life-affirming service aims to shift some focus beyond your PH-related issues to all symptoms that may negatively affect your quality of life.
Palliative medicine doctors may also be able to help you with clarification of choices like advanced directives, living wills and determining if hospice is right for you.
Video: Palliative care vs. hospice care
Hospice is a type of palliative care
Hospice is a specific type of palliative care for seriously ill patients near the end of life. When life expectancy is estimated to be six months or less, you may consider hospice as an option for care. Hospice care focuses on comfort and support, but not curative care.
Hospice can be provided in a variety of places, including:
- Your home.
- Nursing homes.
- Hospitals.
- Free-standing hospice facilities.
If a patient lives longer than six months, they may “re-enroll” in hospice for an indefinite number of three-month periods, as long as they still meet the criteria according to a physician’s best judgment.
Palliative care resources
CaringInfo.org has resources that help patients and caregivers better understand advance directives, palliative care and hospice care, topics that may feel overwhelming when dealing with a serious illness.
Caring Info