Do You Understand What Palliative Care Is?
According to Singapore Management University (SMU), 53.3% of Singaporeans are comfortable discussing palliative care and end of life. Unfortunately, only about 50% of Singaporeans understand palliative care.
Palliative care provides pain relief and ensures the patient is as comfortable as possible. It is not designed to prolong or hasten death. Instead, caregivers integrate psychological, physical, and spiritual aspects in palliative care. The principle is to improve one’s quality of life until death.
Understanding the principles governing palliative care will help patients, caregivers, and family members know what to expect. Everyone involved in the process is expected to play their part if palliative home care Singapore is to be successful.
Palliative Home Care Is Family, Patient, and Carer Centred.
When it comes to palliative home care, all the care decisions are collectively given by the patient, carer, and the family. When one party is uncomfortable about any of the care decisions, the others suffer.
For example, a carer may make a decision that the patient and family do not find agreeable. Likewise, the family and carer may choose a path that the patient does not like. In the long run, these disagreements affect palliative care.
Type Of Palliative Care Depends On Need Assessment.
Several palliative care packages are available. Unfortunately, the packages are at different rates, such that budget can be a concern for most people. However, before choosing palliative care products, an assessment of the patient’s needs is necessary.
What are the circumstances? What is the goal of palliative care? You also need to consider the patient’s wishes.
For example, the patient may need the services of qualified nurses and not trained caregivers. Both give great palliative care, but a nurse is more suitable if the patient’s condition requires medical assistance.
Palliative Care Is Evidence-based.
Before any palliative care is given to the patient, there has to be proof that it will work. It doesn’t matter what the patient’s condition is or the type of care requested. This is why palliative care must be culturally, clinically, physically, and psychologically safe for the patient, carer, and family members.
Palliative Care Should Be Integrated And Coordinated.
Palliative home care should be integrated with the local medical care and a support system that works for the patient and family.
For example, when you request palliative home care, the caregiver should get support from the patient’s doctors. A guide on special care requirements, such as medication and therapy, should be given to ensure the patient is comfortable.
Additionally, palliative care can be overwhelming to the family, especially if the patient is close to death. They need counselling services to help them cope and prepare for the inevitable.
When choosing palliative care products, you need to ask yourself which one is most important for the patient. Since conditions are different, you do not want to get a product that is not necessary or one that will not meet the patient’s needs.
Discuss your challenges with the doctor, and at the same time, consider the patient’s wishes. It is possible to find a neutral ground that works for everyone involved in palliative care.
