Palliative Care Isn't Just for the Very Last Days
Mary Trabert
“Palliative Care” Isn’t Just for the Very Last Days
“Palliative Care” in its simplest form is care that provides comfort, and relief from pain and distress – care that alleviates suffering and enhances quality of life. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offers a more complete definition on their website at
http://www.nhpco.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3657
Who provides palliative care? Any member of the care team (physician, nurse, social worker, family, volunteer, spiritual advisor …) who provides relief of symptoms and pain and enhances quality of life.
Why do I bring this up? Most often family caregivers learn about palliative care and hospice services very close to the end of their loved ones’ lives – if they learn about them at all. It’s been my family’s experience that looking into palliative care options and hospice resources well BEFORE the last days is of tremendous comfort to all those involved with a family member’s care.
To find out more about hospice visit http://www.hospicefoundation.org/hospiceInfo/
To locate hospice services visit http://www.hospicefoundation.org/hospiceInfo/locate.asp
Linking you with helpful caregiving resources
and wishing you a wonderful week.
Mary Trabert
Co-author, The Portable Caregiver: 8 Essential Guidebooks for Elder Care
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