If you or a loved one are receiving palliative care in Ocilla, GA, you undoubtedly have many questions. Palliative care is shrouded in misconceptions and confusion, which can make receiving it stressful. However, the entire point of this level of care is to reduce stress and provide a higher level of comfort and a better quality of life.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a combination of treatments and techniques that provide relief to those suffering from severe illnesses. These conditions may be chronic or acute but are always severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Palliative care seeks to minimize the impact of these conditions, provide relief from their many symptoms, and reduce discomfort and side effects of other treatments or medications.
What is the Difference Between Palliative & Hospice Care?
Palliative care is often confused with hospice care. The two are often combined but are not interchangeable. Hospice care is end-of-life care, which will always include palliative care. Palliative care is not the same as hospice care, though, and can be offered during any point of an illness.
Who Might Benefit from Palliative Care?
As mentioned previously, palliative care is designed for those with severe illnesses or medical conditions that are difficult to manage. It may be provided alongside hospice care for patients with end-stage organ failure or cancer, but many other patients who are not on hospice care may receive palliative care in Ocilla, GA as well.
You might qualify for palliative care if you have one or more of the following conditions:
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Lung disease
• Kidney or liver disease or failure
• Cystic fibrosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke or other neurological disease
• Dementia
While many of these conditions are eventually fatal, many others are not. Regardless of a patient’s prognosis and how well they are managing their symptoms, palliative care provides the best possible quality of life while they are undergoing treatment. For more details, visit Hospice Care Options.
