Palliative Care
Palliative Care
What is Palliative Care?
Despite common perceptions, palliative care isn’t just end-of-life care (EoLC)—though it can certainly be that.
Palliative care services are often utilised to support people through their journey with a disease or diagnosis that will most likely shorten their life. Australians who receive supportive palliative care services typically do so in conjunction with treatments from other healthcare providers, such as doctors, physiotherapists, and social workers. Palliative care recipients can receive care for a long time before they pass away.
In Australia, many health professionals now suggest leveraging palliative care services in the earlier stages of a life-limiting illness. Effective palliative care can not only improve the recipient’s quality of life with symptom management and other supports, but in some cases, it can prolong the lives of people with a terminal illness.
Palliative care services through South West Care Services Pty Ltd empower care recipients to remain in the warmth and security of their own homes, whether they’re receiving end-of-life care or care for a serious illness.
Our team will work with you, your loved one and the other healthcare professionals assisting your family (such as GPs and doctors) to create a care plan and deliver holistic services that fit your unique palliative care needs and goals.
Our team will work with you, your loved one and the other healthcare professionals assisting your family (such as GPs and doctors) to create a care plan and deliver holistic services that fit your unique palliative care needs and goals.
Does palliative care mean death?
Palliative care doesn’t necessarily mean death. Palliative care is typically recommended when a person is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, but death isn’t a guarantee. The purpose of palliative care is to support the recipient and ensure they have the highest quality of life possible as they battle their illness; in the case of death, palliative care strives to make that transition as painless and dignified as possible.
Can you have palliative care at home?
Absolutely—that’s why we’re here. Our compassionate caregivers deliver the highest quality palliative care in the comfort and familiarity of the care recipient’s home. Our team offers a full range of services and can help with anything your family needs, including medication management, cleanliness, and hygiene.
How do you know if someone needs palliative care?
Palliative care is versatile and can mean different things to different people. It’s often associated with end-of-life care needs, but at their core, palliative care services are designed to minimise pain, maximise quality of life, and provide relief from debilitating symptoms such as shortness of breath. Of course, palliative care isn’t limited to those concluding their life’s journey; many care recipients across Australia leverage this type of care while managing a serious illness, either in the early stages of their diagnosis or later when they require more assistance.
What are the principles of palliative care?
Palliative care is sometimes referred to as ‘comfort care.’ This type of care aims to minimise pain and suffering while maximising the care recipient’s quality of life. Palliative care needs vary from one family to the next. Some care recipients and their loved ones require assistance with physical symptoms, while others seek social, psychological, and spiritual support during their journey.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), palliative care should
- Provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- Intend neither to hasten nor postpone death
- Integrate the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
- Offer a support system to help recipients live as actively as possible until death
- Help the family cope during the care recipient’s illness and in their bereavement
- Use a team approach to address the needs of recipients and their families
- Enhance the quality of life, which sometimes also positively influences the course of illness
- Be utilised early in the course of a terminal illness and in conjunction with other treatments intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Why should you choose South West Care Services?
- We adapt to your needs
- We prioritise continuity of care
- We respect your time.
- We are a registered NDIS provider ensuring we meet the NDIS Practice Standards while providing services
- We work with you to provide service at your convenience from Sydney CBD to Greater Sydney
- Our support workers are experienced and are trained regularly to meet the NDIS Practice standard.