Types of Palliative Care

1. Types of Palliative Care What are the different types of Palliative Care? Palliative care is a specialized therapy given to patients living with severe or chronic diseases like cancer. In simpler words, this therapy is focused on providing relief from symptoms (aches) and other problems associated with the disease. Cancer patients require this interdisciplinary approach to living a normal life during their treatment period. Palliative care may include:  Medications  Nutritional changes  Lifestyle changes  Relaxation techniques  Emotional support  Spiritual support  Support for children  Support for family caregivers Different Places Where Palliative Care Can Be Given Palliative care can be of different types depending upon the place it is given in. In a hospital Such palliative care is often given for a shorter time by a specialist team or a qualified nurse. After some time, the patient gets the discharge and is advised to receive such therapy at home.

2. Majorly, hospital palliative nursing includes positive changes in the lifestyle. Also, a fixed diet plan is followed during this. In a care home Palliative care homes have become a vital component of cancer treatment. Since most patients cannot afford such therapy at a hospital, care homes are the best options. It is basically characterized by “end-of-life” care. Also, a patient gets more comfortable in a care home than in any other formal setting. At home Home is the best place to receive treatment. Once an individual is diagnosed with advanced- stage cancer and is aged more than 65 years, a doctor may recommend palliative care at home. Nurses who are specially trained for the same can work for such patients. They can also educate other family members (especially, the patient's caregiver) about the changes they can make in the routines, food, and others. Different Aspects Covered by Palliative Care Further, palliative care focuses on the following aspects of a patient’s life. Social and Emotional A cancer patient goes through a lot during his treatment period. Many psychological changes and imbalances create a void in social life. Palliative care, therefore, helps in seeking back what was once lost socially and emotionally.  Planning family meetings  Making time for relatives and friends  Recreating older memories Physical Cancer medications and therapies leave multiple problems behind. These include pain in different parts of the body, nausea, fatigue, and sleep problems. Palliative care, hence, works to counter the side effects. Using over-the-counter medications, getting physiotherapy, and changing diet plans as per the body’s requirement are some of the examples. Mental Side effects like dizziness and others can lead to sleeping problems. This can further affect the mental ability of the patient. A cancer patient might also feel tired all the time due to strong doses of chemotherapy. Thus, palliative care including yoga, exercises, counseling, and medications can help in managing stress and other mental problems. Furthermore, palliative care is necessary to overcome the effects of medications and the threat of cancer. This therapy significantly improves the patient’s quality of life and expectancy. Source: http://writeus.me/types-of-palliative-care/