Palliative Care

The question “What is Palliative Care?” needs to be answered and understood by those who want to age in place. Quality of life means something different to every individual. With advanced medical technologies people are living longer, many with multiple chronic conditions. Palliative care addresses life prolonging measures, end of life issues and quality of life as we age in place.

There is a point in our lives when the medical treatment we are receiving is no longer a benefit to our body or our condition. This is a time when each person must choose the path that is right for them based on their values and wishes.

Knowing the answer to what is palliative care addresses the point where medical treatment is no longer a benefit from three different perspectives.

1. Life prolonging measures, there is a point when our bodies are no longer able to tolerate or respond well to a recommended treatment. Some doctors recommend more aggressive therapies. In order to assist the body and make the individual more comfortable, doctors may recommend certain measures to assist the individual to continue to prolong treatment. An example may be a gastrostomy (feeding) tube placed in the stomach with a drainage bag for decompression. This means a person can drink for pleasure and everything drains into a bag to prevent nausea and vomiting.

2. Quality of life medical conditions get to a certain level where the medical intervention cannot cure the condition, but can maintain the condition at a certain level that provides a level of quality of life that is acceptable to the aging adult.

3. End of life issues, this is the level of palliative care where the individual makes the determination that their quality of life is not where they want it to be and is no longer tolerable for them. This is a time where hospice may be introduced and the process of comfort care is started.

Addressing life prolonging measures, end of life issues, and quality of life are topics that many avoid discussing. It is uncomfortable, emotional and painful for many to address. It is also difficult for many to realize and accept that the medical interventions are not only failing, but robbing them of their quality of life. Many individuals are truly frustrated and angry at their physicians. The issues of side effects and the affect the medical interventions would have on their quality of life were never addressed at length or in detail. Many would not have had the treatment if they had known before hand that they would be robbed of their quality of life.

Planning ahead with advanced directives and health care power of attorney should be the first step to opening the lines of communication to age in place. Consider discussing goals of quality of life and end of life issues. Be aware, even with these discussions, emotions will get in the way and decisions will never come easy.

Palliative care, in addressing life prolonging measures, end of life issues and quality of life can support, educate and assist you and your loved ones in making the right decisions. An individualized plan of care based on the physical, emotional, spiritual needs and the values of your loved one is developed. Knowing what is palliative care can assist you and your loved one to successfully age in place if that is their wish.

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