If your senior loved one is living with a long-term health concern, such as cardiovascular disease, palliative medicine can enhance their quality of life and help them keep doing the things that they love. Palliative medicine is a form of medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms, pain and stress associated with various illnesses. Brighten their day with a deeper understanding of palliative medicine and its many benefits.
What Is Palliative Medicine?
Palliative medicine is a form of healthcare that puts the focus on relieving symptoms, pain and stress associated with serious illnesses. It is an approach intended to improve the quality of life for seniors living with health concerns both before, during, and after treatment for their condition. Palliative medicine seeks to protect a patient's physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.
The Aim of Palliative Medicine
The ultimate aim of palliative medicine is to ensure comfort and avoid unnecessary suffering. The aim here is not just reducing physical discomfort but also alleviating emotional, social, and spiritual worries your loved one may be experiencing due to the illness they are facing.
Types of Palliative Medicine
Palliative interventions can range from pharmacological treatments administered in hospital settings, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy by specialist professionals, through to less-invasive techniques, such as massage therapies managed at home by in-home caregivers.
How Does Palliative Medicine Work?
Palliative medicine can involve the use of medications, treatments, and therapies to manage symptoms like pain and nausea. Through these approaches, you can alleviate your loved one's pain and discomfort caused by illness or previous medical interventions, which can lead to an improved quality of life for your family member. Palliative medicine also typically includes coordination of care, ensuring your senior loved one always has access to help when needed. Finally, in-home caregivers look at all aspects that could impact a senior's well-being, such as emotional concerns around societal isolation or feeling disconnected or cut off due to limited mobility.
Benefits of Palliative Medicine
1. Improved Quality of Life and Mental Health
Beyond what we discussed above, it can lead to improved mood and better results from future medical interventions.
2. Advocacy
Palliative care gives your family an advocate. Family caregivers may not always understand what is going on, but a palliative specialist and in-home caregiver will be able to explain the situation in clearer terms, thus eliminating confusion among family members looking after the elderly loved one.
3. Assistance Navigating the Medical System
Those caring for their senior loved ones with illnesses like cancer at home often don't have time to read up all prescribed medications and medical interventions. With palliative medicine and a professional in-home caregiver, you can avoid mismanagement of medications and other treatments.
4. Comfort and Guidance For the Family
Finally, understanding your loved one's physical needs better means easing your worries and fears associated with a senior's health concerns. That's one of the biggest benefit of palliative care — the help in the decision-making process and the confidence that your loved one is having the highest quality of life possible, no matter what long-term health concerns they're facing.
Senior Helpers Seattle Offers Personalized In-Home Care
Senior Helpers Seattle's in-home care offers personalized services tailored to your loved one's specific needs, including palliative medicine for those living with long-term health concerns. Our licensed and trained professional caregivers specialize in a variety of areas, including diabetes and Alzheimer's, and are well-versed in helping your loved ones experience a higher quality of life! Contact us today to learn more about how we can help seniors throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Kent, Renton, and Sammamish, WA.