Palliative Care

Palliative Care is the term used to describe the care needed when a loved one has an illness that cannot be cured. Its purpose is two-fold, providing comfort, pain management and medication, alongside emotional and spiritual support – for both Members and their families. 

This type of care can be delivered in several ways:

• Residential care – This option enables you and your loved one to access the full suite of facilities available, with round-the-clock professional support.
• At home – If appropriate for the Member, at-home care can provide the additional benefit of familiar surroundings.

We strive to co-design care plans with our Members and their families for such a time; however, this is not always possible. In these circumstances, our experienced team will work with you to develop an appropriate care plan in earnest.

Palliative care covers a spectrum which is broader than end-of-life care. An incurable illness may require palliative care for several years, enabling the Member to live well for as long as possible. How soon this kind of care may be needed wholly depends on the Member, their illness, their family situation and, of course, their own personal preferences.

Palliative care can take the form of residential care, home visits or Loveday Day Club membership and may be frequent or infrequent, depending on the needs of the Member and their family or support network.

Developing a care plan early on can help to reduce the stress of dealing with an incurable illness. It can also ensure a care team is on hand, which has experience of the Member and their health and family circumstances.

End-of-life care falls within the palliative spectrum and is usually planned with Members and families along their care journey with Loveday. Sometimes advance planning is not possible, at which point our specialist team is on hand to support in earnest.

Palliative care can be part of a short-, medium- or long-term care plan, depending on the Member’s needs. Typical factors to be considered include:

• Family situation: the support network around the Member, their availability, work situation and own health should all be considered.
• Member wishes: Members may want to improve their social setting, and they may be keen to get outdoors more or try new experiences. These personal preferences can all be taken into account when designing their care plan.
• Medical needs: there are often medical parameters which need to be accounted for, whether this relates to medication to be administered within a certain schedule or particular equipment which is required for medical support.

End-of-life care planning could be considered to be similar; however, of course, this is the end of our Member’s care journey, so family and Members should consider where their loved one wants to be. This is often either within the residence where they’ve lived well and established friendships over a given period or at home with their memories and extended family. Our team works closely with families to establish the right care plan, to be delivered at the right time for our Members.  

Palliative care and hospice care are both types of healthcare that focus on improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious illnesses. They both focus on alleviating discomfort to ensure a dignified, patient-centered approach to healthcare. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between palliative care and hospice care include:

Goal and Timing:

• Palliative Care: This type of care is provided at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life. The goal of palliative care is to provide relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness, with the intention of improving the patient's overall quality of life. Palliative care can be administered alongside curative treatments which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibiotics for infections and other targeted therapies.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care is specifically for individuals who are nearing the end of life, typically when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired. The focus is on providing comfort and support rather than attempting to cure the illness.

Treatment Focus:

• Palliative Care: The physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of an illness are addressed in palliative care. This  includes symptom management, pain control and emotional support. It can be provided alongside curative treatments.
• Hospice Care: The emphasis is on keeping the patient comfortable and managing symptoms at all times, with the understanding that the underlying illness is not responding to curative treatments. Hospice care often involves discontinuing aggressive treatments that are no longer providing benefits.

Location of Care:

• Palliative Care: This can be provided in various settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics and even at home.
• Hospice Care: While it can also be provided in different settings, hospice care often involves caring for the individual in their own home or in a specialised hospice facility.

Timing of Decision:

• Palliative Care: This can be initiated at any point during a serious illness, even when the patient is still receiving curative treatments.
• Hospice Care: Typically, a decision to enter hospice care is made when the prognosis is that the patient has a limited time left to live, often six months or less.

In summary, palliative care is a broader approach to care that can be implemented at any stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice care is specifically designed for individuals near the end of life. Both types of care aim to improve the quality of life for patients and provide support to their families in the most dignified and compassionate way.

Palliative care can be beneficial at any stage of a serious illness, from the initial diagnosis through to treatment and beyond. Palliative care is not limited to a specific point in the disease progression and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Palliative care is focused on improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious illnesses by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Some situations in which palliative care might be considered include:

At the Time of Diagnosis:

Palliative care can be initiated when a serious illness is diagnosed to help manage symptoms, address emotional concerns and provide support for both the patient and their family from the beginning of the illness.

During Active Treatment:

Palliative care can be integrated into the treatment plan for individuals receiving aggressive or curative treatments. It helps manage the side effects of treatments, control symptoms and support the overall wellbeing of the patient.

For Chronic or Progressive Illnesses:

Palliative care is often appropriate for individuals with chronic or progressive illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and neurodegenerative diseases.

As a Transition to End-of-Life Care:

If the condition worsens and it has been advised that curative treatments are no longer effective or desired, palliative care can transition into end-of-life or hospice care.

For Long-Term Illnesses and Disabilities:

Palliative care is not limited to terminal illnesses. It can be provided for patients with long-term illnesses or disabilities to manage symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

The goal of palliative care is to relieve suffering, improve the individual’s overall wellbeing and support their family. It is a holistic approach that considers the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of care.