WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE ?

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and theirfamilies who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• It puts the patients goals, desires, and decisions first
• Improves quality of life by focusing on the care of the whole individual (body, mind and spirit)
• Improves communication between patients, their families, other caregivers and healthcare providers
• Helps patients and families understand treatment goals and plan
• Provides control of pain and other distressing symptoms,thus enabling comfort
• Reduces unnecessary investigations and hospital visits through home based care and other follow up methods
• Enables patients to maintain connections with families and friends
• Adds quality life to days and not just days to life by reducing pain and suffering.

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

All patients with serious illnesses – children, adults, elderly with their families and caregivers.

From the point of diagnosis of serious illness (cancer, HIV/AIDS, stroke and neurological diseases, Organ failures – liver, kidney, lungs etc )throughout the illness and especially towards the end-of-life and bereavement.