Practical Palliative Options Available During End-of-Life Journey
The end-of-life journey is a difficult and emotional experience for everyone involved. Often, family members struggle with the process. Fortunately, there are practical palliative options available that can make the experience more comfortable and meaningful for an elderly loved one as well as the family.
Physical Care
Physical care is a primary component of palliative care. Its supports are designed to help with many critical physical tasks: bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and even walking. Those tasks are often difficult for seniors to manage on their own, and family members may struggle to take care of those tasks. A senior caregiver can help with those tasks while providing dignity and respect.
Pain and Symptom Management
In-home senior care professionals are trained to provide medications, dressings, and other treatments as prescribed by the patient's doctor. They can also monitor symptoms and alert medical staff if necessary to ensure that patients remain comfortable during their end-of-life journey. Pain and symptom management is often a top priority during the end-of-life journey. Family members may want to carefully consider the benefits of hiring a medical care provider or nursing staff to help with pain and symptom management.
Comfort Measures
In addition to medical care, in-home senior care professionals can provide comfort measures such as massages, warmth therapy, and music therapy. These techniques are designed to reduce stress and improve the overall quality of life for patients during their final days.
Palliative Options: Psychological Care
In-home senior care professionals are trained to provide emotional support and understanding to seniors and their families during this difficult time. This can include talking through fears, helping with decision-making, and providing reassurance throughout the journey.
Emotional Support
In-home senior care professionals can offer compassionate, understanding, and supportive conversations with seniors during their end-of-life journey. This can include listening to concerns and providing reassurance that their wishes will be respected throughout the process.
Spiritual Support
Sometimes, seniors may want spiritual support during their final days. Caregivers may want to consider connecting with their church or local religious organization to help provide spiritual guidance and comfort through prayer, meditation, or discussion of religious beliefs, as appropriate. Many churches and other religious organizations will provide those essential supports to members of their congregations.
Palliative Options: Practical Support
Several practical needs may need to be considered during a senior's final days.
Transportation
Despite choosing to pass at home, some seniors may need transportation to doctor's appointments, religious services, or any other necessary destinations. Making practical arrangements for transportation can make life easier for family members and caregivers.
Meal Preparation
Figuring out how to handle meal prep is another key part of the palliative care experience. In some cases, in-home care providers can help create nutritious meals for seniors and their families. In other cases, the family may want to consider meal delivery services or seek assistance from friends in the community.
Get the Help Your Family Needs During a Senior's End-of-Life Journey
The end-of-life journey is a difficult time for everyone involved. However, there are many practical palliative options available to make the experience more comfortable and meaningful. Senior Helpers St. Charles in St. Charles, St. Peters, Chesterfield, Ballwin, West County, South County, and Jefferson County can provide expert in-home care to provide support to seniors and their families during this critical time. Our caregivers are trained in all aspects of palliative care and will work closely with the patient's medical team to ensure that their needs are met. Contact Senior Helpers St Charles today to learn more about how we can help your loved one during their end-of-life journey.