If you or your loved one is in a position to need palliative care, you no doubt have a huge amount on your mind. You’re probably wondering what options are available to you, what support system you can hope to build and, not least, whether or not you’ll be able to afford it.
The good news is that there are a lot of options out there, and support is available
A brief introduction: what is palliative care? Palliative care is a key component of end of life care. It is care that can alleviate a problem without treating the underlying cause. Palliative care can ease the distress and discomfort of people with incurable cancers, progressive neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and advanced dementia. It can soothe symptoms like nausea, constipation, sleeplessness and pain allowing your loved one to rest or enjoy activities with the family. It’s about improving quality of life from a mental, physical, social and spiritual perspective, and is relevant at any age and for any serious illness.
Palliative care is given by those who provide day-to-day care and by specialist consultants and caregivers. Those providing day-to-day care assess the needs of the patient and their families, meet those needs where they can, and refer to specialists where appropriate. Palliative care will help the patient and family to focus on their psychological and spiritual well being, while easing the pain and symptoms that might cause discomfort.
It’s never an easy time. It’s likely that feelings will be turbulent and sometimes confused, and having a professional involved can help to clear the tensions and strains that will inevitably arise. MyCare Assistant can provide a helping hand with the trickier tasks at a time that fits with your schedule. From cleaning to help with complex care matters like incontinence, tube feeding or ventilation, carer packages can be tailored to suit your individual needs. With help, you can focus on enjoying the time you have left together instead of being burdened with chores.