What is Palliative Care?
Gail A. Inderwies, RN, BSN, MBA
A nursing friend of mine once said that doctors treat diseases, and nurses treat people. Of course, that’s a generalization but it does speak to the special distinction of palliative care. The priority of palliative care is patient comfort – no matter what disease or chronic condition with which someone is struggling. Palliative care can be provided with home care, or in an institution like a hospital or nursing home. A palliative care team can help manage the disease symptoms that make a patient uncomfortable and can not only enhance the quality of life but might also improve longevity. There is so much to gain by adding a Palliative Care Team.
Create a Care Plan
The first step is to work with you or your family member to create a Care Plan that meets your goals. It is important for your entire medical team to understand your priorities, and your palliative care nurse practitioner can facilitate this effort. The palliative care professionals can also help you better understand your treatment options in the context of your personal priorities and your already created Care Plan.
If you, or someone important to you is struggling to manage a serious illness or chronic condition, why not accept help? Adding a palliative care team can mean expert symptom management, informed guidance on understanding complex treatment choices, emotional and spiritual support, and the coordination of all medical care. Frequently, the Palliative Care Team incurred costs will be covered by your insurance – and you may not know to ask. Let us help you!
Do Not Wait
At KeystoneCare, our Palliative Care Team will work with your own physician to coordinate your care. The team has other caring professionals who can focus on managing your pain, symptoms and reducing stress for you and your family. At any time, your care team will coordinate with palliative care physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, and KeystoneCare’s chaplain. You do not need to suffer. Don’t wait until the last few days when you or someone you care about, is struggling. If you want to understand more about palliative care, talk to us anytime. Just call 215-836-2440 or e-mail info@keystonecare. com. We are here to help you.