Issue 25.14
In my last column I explained how palliative care can benefit people with terminal illnesses. However, palliative care is also for anyone who is struggling with the debilitating effects of a chronic illness or disease, but not receiving the medical care or support they need.
There are far too many people who fall into this category. They are suffering at home alone or in a facility. They simply need help in managing their symptoms. They may feel alone and frustrated in dealing with their illness. Perhaps they think or feel they aren’t “sick enough” to acquire medical attention. These folks keep plugging along with their illnesses until they get worse and eventually wind up in the hospital.
No one wants to be in the hospital if it can be avoided. Palliative care offers support to patients and helps them cope with the symptoms that are causing them stress and perhaps exacerbating their illness. Palliative care assists patients in managing their illnesses, and thus helps them avoid being in the hospital unnecessarily.
When people properly manage their illness and medications and are compliant with their doctors’ directions, they feel better. They experience life in a healthier and more satisfying way. This is one of the main goals of palliative care: “to enhance the quality of life for the person and his or her family.” Palliative care provides ongoing assistance in determining future care that the person may need. It also provides psychological and spiritual support to people and families when it is needed.
Palliative care is defined as: “Medical care to prevent and relieve suffering, and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families regardless of the stage of the disease or the need for other therapies.”
There is no reason for folks to suffer with a chronic illness or debilitating conditions due to age when good medical help is available and affordable. Both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as many insurance companies, offer palliative care benefits. Don’t be the Lone Ranger and continue suffering in silence and alone unnecessarily. We have been blessed with good medical services here in the St. George area. Ask for the help you need and want.
For more information about palliative care services contact Sheila Taysom or Debbie Cox at 435-634-9300 in St. George or Lisa Ross at 435-635-9300 in Hurricane. You can also email Sheila at: staysom@homehealthwest.com.
Luigi Persichetti is the spiritual counselor for Southern Home Care and Hospice and retired Unity Minister from Unity Center of Positive Living in St. George.