Understanding Palliative Care

The reality of a terminal or life-limiting illness will completely change the way you think of the future. If you or a loved one is facing this difficult ordeal, you may view their care as a losing game. But there are effective ways to improve their quality of life.

Palliative care can help with these concerns. The term can sometimes sound as though it means that treatment has stopped or that someone is approaching their final days. In reality, palliative care can begin much earlier. It focuses on helping people with life-limiting illnesses live as well as possible by managing symptoms and supporting their physical, emotional, and social needs.

Choosing palliative care means you are taking every precaution to create a comforting and enjoyable life for those last few years of life.

What is Palliative Care?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as an approach that aims to “improve the quality of life of patients facing challenges associated with life-threatening illnesses”. The fundamental purpose of this care is not to heal or cure these illnesses, but to prevent and relieve suffering. This is best achieved through early identification, correct assessment, and treatment of pain.

Palliative care is therefore about much more than managing physical symptoms. Depending on the person’s needs, it can include:

• Managing pain and other symptoms.
• Supporting emotional wellbeing.
• Helping someone remain as independent and active as possible.
• Supporting relationships with family and friends.
• Helping with practical concerns.
• Discussing wishes and preferences for future care.
• Supporting relatives and carers.
• Coordinating care between different health and social care professionals.

It can also be provided alongside treatments intended to manage or control an illness. Someone receiving chemotherapy, for example, may also receive palliative care to help manage their symptoms.

Palliative care can be viewed as simply giving up, but it is quite the opposite. In reality, it is an active form of care that strives to make every day as comfortable and fulfilling as possible while providing the medical support that the individual requires.

What Is the Difference Between Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care?

Although these terms are frequently used interchangeably, there is a vital distinction between these two forms of care.

Palliative Care

This is a broad umbrella term for several holistic support systems. Palliative care can be appropriate at different stages of a life-limiting illness. Someone may receive it for months or years, depending on their condition and needs.

It can be provided alongside other treatments and focuses is on quality of life, symptom management and support.

End-of-Life Care

This is a form of palliative care provided when someone is approaching the end of their life (usually those in the last 12 months of life). It can range from days to months, and focuses on comfort, dignity and the person’s last wishes. Support for family and carers is also very significant to this care.

End-of-life care can take place in different settings, including at home, in a care home, in hospital or in a hospice. The right setting depends on the person’s needs and preferences.

Introducing palliative care early in a diagnosis can make a huge difference in coming to terms with an illness. Emotional support and symptom management will allow the individual to remain active, content, and enjoy their time with their family.

Supporting the Whole Family

A life-limiting illness affects the whole family. Relatives often find themselves balancing work and increasing amounts of care while looking after their own emotional wellbeing. As care needs change, many families worry about responding to changes appropriately and properly supporting their loved one. These conflicting feelings are very understandable.

Palliative care supports family members as well as the person who is unwell.

Moving into a care home can change the role of family members. Being a primary carer to someone with high support needs can be very taxing. However, choosing palliative allows the individual to recieve professional support and relatives can focus on enjoying their time together.

The aim is not to replace the family. It is to give them the support they need to continue being family.

Planning Ahead

Talking about future care can feel uncomfortable, but having these conversations early can give the person more opportunity to express their wishes.

This may include thinking about:

• Where they would prefer to receive care.
• Who they would like involved in decisions.
• What is important to them in their daily life.
• Any religious, cultural or spiritual preferences.
• Who should be contacted if their health changes.
• Their preferences for future treatment and care.

Planning ahead where possible will make the transition to palliative care much simpler. Also consider arrangements such as a lasting power of attorney so that someone chosen by the individual can make certain decisions if they later become unable to do so themselves.

These conversations do not have to happen all at once. They can be revisited as circumstances change.

Palliative Care at Mulberry

At Mulberry Care Homes, our palliative care is designed around the individual rather than their diagnosis. We provide a calm, homely environment where residents can receive support with changing care needs while continuing to enjoy the familiar aspects of everyday life, including:

• Personalised care planning: Care plans reflect each resident’s needs, preferences and wishes and are reviewed as circumstances change.
• Symptom and comfort support: Our care teams monitor residents’ wellbeing and work with local healthcare professionals to support symptom management.
• Nursing support: Where nursing care is required, our nursing teams provide support alongside local healthcare professionals.
• Nutrition and hydration: Meals and drinks can be adapted to individual dietary requirements and changing needs, with appropriate professional input where necessary.
• Family involvement: Relatives can remain closely involved in their loved one’s care and everyday life.
• A comfortable environment: Familiar surroundings, personal belongings, shared spaces and gardens can help create a setting that feels like home rather than a clinical environment.
• Emotional support: We recognise that palliative care affects residents and those close to them, and our approach considers emotional wellbeing as well as physical needs.

Mulberry currently provides palliative care across Astley Grange, White Rose House and Southfield Court.

Living Well

A life-limiting illness can change what someone is able to do, but it does not take away their need for comfort, dignity, companionship and meaningful experiences.

Palliative care is not about giving up. It is about providing the right support at the right time and helping to manage symptoms.

For some people, this care will be provided at home, where otherthers may benefit from a hospice, hospital or care home. There is no single setting that is right for everyone.

If you are considering palliative or end-of-life care for yourself or a loved one, speaking to your GP or healthcare team is a good place to start. They can help you understand what support is available and how your care needs can be met.

At Mulberry Care Homes, we understand how difficult these decisions can be. If you would like to learn more about our palliative care or discuss whether one of our homes could meet your loved one’s needs, our team is here to answer your questions and arrange a visit.