About Palliative Care
To die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly. Death of one’s own free choice, death at the proper time, with a clear head and joyfulness, consummated in the midst of children and witnesses: so that an actual leaving is possible while he who is leaving is still there. Friedrich Neitzsche
It is a bolt from the blue to be diagnosed with cancer. Often the disease and its treatment cause pain and distressing symptoms. Some cancers progress to a point beyond treatment. The patient and the family feel helpless, depressed, defeated and angry. In the worst case, they quietly wait for death to end the suffering.
Now there is some solace in the form of palliative care. This is where one supports the patient, with love and care. It refers to the care of patients who need support during regular medical treatment and also those whose condition has worsened beyond the possibility of cure.
The WHO definition
The World Health Organization and the European Association for Palliative Care, defines palliative care as the active, total care of the patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of psychological, social and spiritual problems are paramount. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.
Change in focus
The philosophy of palliative care is a patient-centric one. In a world where family structures are strong and form the main support for a patient, he or she is treated as part of the family fabric, and relatives are involved in the treatment.
An inter-disciplinary team comes together to work towards a common goal to achieve this holistic approach to patient care.
Dimensions of Palliative Care
Palliative’ is derived from the root word Pallium’ – a Latin word, meaning cloak’ or cover’. Palliative care is holistic care that includes four aspects knowing’, feeling’, being’, and doing’ all this to fulfill the needs of the dying. Holistic care is all about meeting the various needs of the patients:
Physical needs: These differ according to the disease and the stage of the disease. Palliative care makes sure that the patient never falls short of quick and efficient symptom control, and gets the benefits of state-of-the-art knowledge of medicine, surgery and radiotherapy is a must.
Psychological needs: From safety to self-esteem to a sense of understanding, patients need to feel secure. Palliative care helps them preserve a sense of worth and self-esteem.
Social needs : The patients need to feel accepted, belonging and disengaged. They are not a burden, but are needed and connected.
Spiritual needs: These patients need love, reconciliation, a sense of self worth and purpose. They need to give and forgive, end quarrels and depart with a calm and quiet frame of mind.
Each of these is a daunting task and difficult for one professional to provide. Teamwork becomes crucial. All team members bring different skills and support each other. The team comprises doctors, nurses, medical social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, ayahs and ward boys and volunteers. Each member is important in his or her own way, and good communication between team members is crucial.
Source : http://www.carebeyondcure.org/whatisit.htm – Cipla