The benefits of comprehensive Palliative Care for patients and caregivers

Palliative Care is medical care for patients with complex conditions or a serious illness, at any stage of their disease or condition. Common diagnoses among Palliative Care patients include advanced cancers, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, renal disease, liver disease, cerebrovascular accidents, and other neurologic illnesses, including stroke. A typical Palliative Care plan works alongside your primary medical treatment plan and can include:

• Disease and symptom management, including controlling your pain.
• Coordinated in-home care and support services.
• Communication with family members and other caregivers.
• 24/7 support either virtually or by phone.
• Reduced costs by preventing hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
• Advance care planning and support for end-of-life treatment decisions, if applicable.

Unlike hospice care, which prioritizes comfort, symptom management, and quality of life for those with a terminal illness, you don't have to stop curative treatment for your illness if you choose Palliative Care. You also don't need to have a terminal illness or be approaching the end of life.

You or your loved one can continue to receive medical treatment to manage symptoms. You can even receive treatment to cure your illness.

Palliative Care is for anyone who needs an extra layer of support as they navigate their illness. It can begin as early as the day you are diagnosed, and it can continue throughout your entire healthcare journey.

No one needs to tell you how complicated and frustrating it is to manage your illness. If you're a caregiver, you see firsthand how difficult daily living can become, both physically and mentally.

Chances are you often juggle many doctor visits, medicines, and care instructions. There are a lot of little details that need to be remembered and instructions that need to be followed. Along with that, you experience the range of emotions that come with navigating complex condition management. Serious illness can also affect you financially, because it's common for people with these conditions to end up in the hospital or emergency room.

The goal of Palliative Care is to improve your well-being across all these areas of life. After you become a Palliative Care patient, you'll receive comprehensive, wraparound support throughout your treatment journey. A personalized care plan will focus on your specific symptoms, challenges, and goals, and you’ll have an interdisciplinary team that coordinates your care.

Depending on your illness and the services you need, your care team may include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, care coordinators, and other specialists, such as nutritionists or therapists. You can also keep your current doctors.

Your care team works with you, your current doctors, and any caregivers you may have to address your medical, social, and emotional needs. You'll receive appropriate care, when and where you need it — whether that's at home, in specialized clinics, or at inpatient or outpatient locations.

You’ll also have the option of 24/7 access to your care team through telehealth with a phone or video call. These virtual visits can be particularly useful if you have a busy schedule or if your illness gets in the way of safe or comfortable travel.

If you care for someone with a serious illness, you know that managing someone's care can often feel like a full-time job. Even if you're organized, it's normal to feel overwhelmed. Caregiver burnout happens, and you're not alone if you feel this way. According to a report on caregiving in the United States by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) :

• 31% of family caregivers have difficulty coordinating care.
• 21% of family caregivers report their own health is fair or poor.
• 23% of Americans say caregiving has made their health worse.

When loved ones choose palliative care, caregivers also get the help they need to take better care of themselves. Caregiver support should include counseling services, education, and resources about your loved one's illness and treatment, and shared decision-making and collaboration in your loved one's care.