Palliative Care
Palliative care is a holistic approach to active and supportive care for patients and their families facing a life-threatening illness. The aim is to prevent and ease suffering, while promoting an excellent quality of life right up until the end of life. This is achieved through the prevention and relief of suffering, by means of early identification, assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual distress. We have a very specialized unit under eminent specialist.
When does palliative care begin?
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of the disease, from diagnosis through survivorship or the end of life.
- Alongside therapies that are intended to cure or modify disease (such as surgery or chemotherapy)
- As the main focus of care for patients and families once curative treatments are no longer effective
- Near the end of life to prepare the person and his or her family for the dying process
- After death, in the form of support for bereaved family and loved ones
How does palliative care meet individual needs?
Patient of any age suffering from any disease can benefit from palliative care. It is appropriate for those with cancer and non-cancer diagnoses. It is tailored to a person’s needs and preferences. Conversations about a person’s illness understanding, their values and beliefs, and their goals and wishes for future care are a key part of palliative care approach. These goals of care and advance care planning discussions should happen early rather than at the end of life, and should be ongoing as a person’s needs and preferences may change.