Palliative care underutilized

MIDDLETOWN — November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. While many are aware that hospice services provide compassionate care for those in the late stages of a terminal disease, palliative care is not always understood and therefore the benefits of this service are not fully used.

This column will hopefully provide information about when palliative care can be offered, and the value that it can provide to patients and families.

“Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing patients relief from pain and other symptoms, no matter the diagnosis or stage of disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.”

The goal of this service is to improve the quality of life of both the patient and family/caregiver. Additionally, this form of care can be offered alongside medical treatments that a patient is still undergoing.

A palliative care team consists of physicians, nurses and other providers who work with the patient, family and community primary care doctor and/or specialist.

Palliative care is available at any age to those with a life-threatening illness. Some of these diagnoses include cancer, Parkinson’s disease, lung disease, stroke, kidney failure, heart disease and dementia.

In addition to pain management, other symptoms that may be improved include, but are not limited to, nausea and vomiting, anxiety and depression, fatigue and trouble sleeping.

A palliative care consultation may require a referral from a patient’s primary care physician or specialist. Having an advocate or family member attend this meeting can be beneficial.

When patients are not feeling well or are anxious about their diagnosis, it can be difficult to fully listen to all that is being discussed at the consultation.

Additionally, when attending a palliative consult, be sure to have a list of symptoms and how they impact activities of daily living as well as a record of current prescription and over the counter medications.

It is also advised to have a copy of a living will or advance directives to share.

The outcome of a palliative consultation will be a specific care plan that may include symptom management, support and advice, care techniques, referrals for additional services and advance care planning.

It is important to note that the palliative care team will collaborate on care with the patient’s primary care physician and/or specialist.

Palliative care is designed to support the patients’ specific goals of care, enhance quality of life and also to provide helpful resources for the patient and their families.

Most private insurances, Medicare and Medicaid will cover the cost of palliative care in the home, at an assisted living community or a skilled nursing or hospital setting.

For information on palliative care services, contact the patient’s primary care or specialist office.

Laura Falt is director of business development at Water’s Edge Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Middletown. Falt, who welcomes the opportunity to be a resource to the community on services for older adults, can be contacted at lfalt@nathealthcare.com.

Brant Ward photo / The Chronicle A patient has her hand held by a chaplain during a hospital room visit in 2013. Palliative care specializes in the relief of pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness, and is becoming more common in hospitals.