When the time comes to explore care options for a loved one, they may become hesitant and avoidant as soon as they hear ‘palliative care’. This type of care tends to carry a particular stigma, but there’s lots more than meets the eye.
Contrary to popular belief, palliative care doesn’t mean the person receiving it is going to die soon. Palliative care can be offered for many months or even years. Today, we’ll explore why palliative care is labelled ‘bad’ and common misconceptions about it.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a type of specialised support designed for people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or life-limiting condition. It takes a holistic approach to managing symptoms and improving quality of life, rather than treating the illness.
Individuals with terminal illness may undergo treatments, such as chemotherapy, to manage symptoms and prolong their independence. These treatments can cause negative side effects, which may become a burden and increasingly difficult to deal with.
Carers help manage these symptoms, monitor pain and get emergency assistance should you need it. They can also help you attend appointments and remind you when it’s time to take your medication.
Who Is Palliative Care For?
One of the most common misconceptions about palliative care is that it’s only suitable for people who have less than a year to live. In reality, palliative care can be arranged for individuals living with a serious illness, no matter whether that’s a week after diagnosis or several years.
Palliative care can also support the person’s family and friends, who may also be struggling with the physical and emotional aspects of their loved one’s illness.
Palliative care can be offered to anyone with a life-limiting condition, including:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic liver disease
- Kidney failure
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Arthritis
- Neurological conditions
- Dementia
- Chronic respiratory diseases
In many cases, palliative care will transition into end-of-life care as symptoms progress. However, not everyone who receives palliative care will have so little time left. Palliative care can be delivered for weeks, months or years.
Common Misconceptions About Palliative Care
There are several myths surrounding palliative care which contribute to the negative stigma, which may leave people assuming it’s ‘bad’. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about palliative care:
“Palliative Care is a Nicer Way of Saying End-of-Life Care”
A common misconception is that palliative care is only provided at the end of someone’s life. In reality, the word ‘palliate’ means to relieve symptoms without addressing the underlying cause of an illness.
For people nearing the end of life, palliative care focuses on keeping them as comfortable and symptom-free as possible. However, for people with non-terminal conditions, palliative care can be provided alongside treatments aimed at managing or curing the illness itself.
In short, palliative care is suitable for anyone living with a serious illness, no matter how long the prognosis is. This is one of the biggest misconceptions regarding palliative care, and it creates a big barrier to access.
“Palliative Care Means Symptoms and Pain Are Severe”
While palliative care is usually associated with severe symptoms, the person receiving care doesn’t always experience them when care is initiated.
The main goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life. Support can be beneficial even when symptoms are mild or moderate, helping people maintain independence and continue their daily activities.
Many people receive palliative care for months or even years while living active and fulfilling lives. Without this care service, they may not be able to live life the way they want as easily.
“Palliative Care Only Deals with Pain”
Palliative care takes a holistic approach to well-being, addressing physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual symptoms.
Pain management is often a part of an individual’s care plan, but support also extends to helping people cope with the emotional impact of illness. This well-rounded approach aims to improve overall well-being and help individuals enjoy the best possible quality of life, despite their diagnosis.
“Palliative Care Can Only Be Given in Hospice”
Palliative care can be provided in a number of different places, including:
- Hospices
- From the comfort of home
- Hospitals
- Residential or nursing homes
Many individuals are choosing to receive palliative care from the comfort of home, surrounded by their cherished belongings, memories, loved ones and pets. Palliative care teams work together to ensure high-quality, coordinated care regardless of where a person chooses to live.
“People Receiving Palliative Care Can Expect More Symptoms and More Pain”
Some people mistakenly believe that receiving palliative care means symptoms and pain will simply be accepted as part of the illness. Research suggests that this misconception can discourage people from seeking palliative care services.
In reality, palliative care teams are dedicated to reducing pain, managing symptoms and improving comfort at every stage of care. This rings true throughout palliative care services, including as the person transitions into end-of-life care.
“Palliative Care Means My Doctor Won’t Be Involved Anymore”
Many people worry that seeking out palliative care means losing contact with their doctor, but this isn’t generally the case.
A person’s existing healthcare team often continues to play an important role in their care plan, working alongside the palliative care specialists to ensure continuity of care.
In some situations, the palliative care team takes the lead, while the GP remains involved through routine reviews and ongoing support. If you want your doctor to be involved in your palliative care plan, they will strive to honour your wishes.
“Palliative Care Means I’m Giving Up”
As palliative care is often confused with end-of-life care, some people assume it means that they’ll stop all treatment and give up trying to prolong their life.
While treatment plans may change in certain circumstances, palliative care doesn’t automatically mean treatments have to stop. Decisions about treatment are made on an individual basis and should be discussed openly with healthcare professionals.
In many cases, palliative care is about adding supportive interventions rather than removing existing treatments.
How Trinity Homecare Can Help
At Trinity Homecare, we understand the worry many individuals experience when palliative care is brought up. To help alleviate your fears and debunk common misconceptions about this service, our compassionate team will walk you through how palliative care can support you and help you continue living life the way you want, for as long as possible.
Our live-in and visiting palliative carers can assist with daily routines, medication reminders, symptom monitoring and companionship. No matter what you or a loved one needs most, we will strive to provide it in full.
Talk to Us Today
At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of live-in care.
Call us now on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free, no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
