Palliative care is an essential aspect of Eldercare, especially for those facing serious illnesses or nearing the end of their lives.

It helps them feel comfortable and not in too much pain. Elders and their helpers face tough situations, like feeling sad or not knowing what to do about treatment. 

Palliative care teams are well-trained and can help them to talk about their feelings, make choices, and feel better.

It’s like having a big helping hand, which can help and support them and their families through all the ups and downs during this tough phase of life.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care refers to specialized medical treatment that offers individuals with chronic illnesses or serious conditions physical, emotional, and spiritual assistance.

Palliative care prioritizes the patient’s values, needs, and goals of their treatment while assisting in managing physical symptoms and emotional pressures. 

Taking care of problems beyond bodily symptoms is necessary to address pain. A team approach is used in palliative care to support both patients and their loved ones.

This includes offering grieving therapy and attending to practical needs. It provides a network of support to enable patients to have as active a life as possible until their passing.

Benefits of Palliative Care for an individual 

Palliative care can assist individuals with managing the psychological, emotional, and physical symptoms associated with serious illnesses since it is focused on providing holistic symptom relief.

Enhancing a person’s quality of life during any phase of a disease is the goal of palliative care. Palliative care provides: 

1. Management of symptoms:

People’s quality of life is improved with palliative care. People feel better when they are treated for their pain and discomfort.

The team of specialists collaborates with other medical team members to help patients manage their pain from the disease or its treatment, as well as their ability to breathe easier, eat better, sleep better, manage stress, tolerate medical treatment, have better digestion, feel more confident, and carry out daily activities without feeling exhausted.

2. Emotional and psychosocial assistance:

A person’s stress level, confidence, and sense of self can all suffer during treatment for a major illness.

The dynamics of a family may also be impacted since spouses or kids frequently assume the job of carer. We support families and patients in coping with stress and acclimating to their “new normal.” 

Care Home vs Home Care: Palliative Care

A care home is a residential facility that offers senior citizens housing and care.

Caregivers at care homes can assist patients with activities such as getting dressed, bathing, taking medications, and using the restroom. In contrast, home care refers to receiving assistance from a caretaker within the comforts of your own home.

At Gracias Living, Assisted Living Facility, we focus on the specific needs and conditions of your loved ones so that we can offer them the best care and support.

For additional assistance in taking care of your elderly loved one, you can contact Gracias Living today. 

Role of a Caregiver in Palliative Care

A Caregiver is a person who assists the residents with daily living tasks as specified in the individual service plan, such as clothing, grooming, toileting, bathing, transferring, and traveling to and from meals and activities. 

1. Assistance with eating, cleaning, and bathing

It can be challenging to carry out daily living tasks without assistance, such as eating, washing, grooming, and using the restroom, if memory and mobility problems are present.

The Caregivers at Gracias Living are there to help the residents in their daily activities.

2. Monitor Medication

To treat chronic diseases, older persons frequently take multiple prescription drugs.

It’s possible that your loved one needs assistance remembering their medication schedule, comprehending drug interactions, and taking recommended dosages on time.

The caregivers keep an eye on the resident’s condition and precipitation so that the elderly are given the right medicines at the right time. 

3. Offer companionship

Companionship is one of the most important—yet frequently disregarded—aspects of providing senior care.

In elderly persons, loneliness can have detrimental effects on their health, including depression.

Our caregivers maintain a friendly relationship with the residents, they play games with them, have conversations with them, take them out for walks, and much more. 

4. Creating and managing a care plan

Our caregivers maintain and manage a care plan that is best suited for the specific condition of residents.

They maintain a daily chart with all the necessary information and details that happened on that day. 

5. Preparation of nutritious meals

As one ages the dietary constraints increase, we at Gracias Living take care of the dietary preferences and requirements of the residents and prepare fresh homemade meals. 

Conclusion

Palliative care is a specialized medical treatment that offers physical, emotional, and spiritual assistance to individuals with chronic illnesses or serious conditions. It prioritizes the patient’s values, needs, and goals, addressing physical symptoms and emotional pressures. 

A team approach is used in palliative care, including grieving therapy and practical needs. It helps individuals manage psychological, emotional, and physical symptoms associated with serious illnesses, enhancing their quality of life.

A care home like Gracias Living is a residential facility that offers senior citizens housing and care, with caregivers helping residents with daily living tasks, monitoring medication, offering companionship, creating and managing a care plan, and preparing nutritious meals. 

At Gracias Living, caregivers focus on the specific needs and conditions of residents, providing the best care and support. They assist residents with daily activities, monitor medication, offer companionship, create and manage a care plan, and prepare nutritious meals as residents age. 

By providing palliative care, Gracias Living helps residents feel more comfortable and supported in their journey toward recovery.