Syntari

Palliative Care treats the symptoms that occur during a life-threatening condition or a serious illness, including physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms, as well as side effects of primary treatment. Whereas primary treatment focuses on curing the illness or extending life, this type of care is about improving the quality of life during treatment.

Palliative Care suits the physical, emotional, and social needs of a client. It often includes medical and pain management, alongside other services like live in care.

If you or your loved one has a life-threatening condition or a serious illness, then at-home or live in Palliative Care can reduce or relieve any physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and side effects. According to the Government of Canada, adults between the ages of 45-74 are more likely to receive this care than other age groups.

While these types of care are often confused with one another, they are quite different. Palliative Care can occur at any stage of primary treatment. End-of-Life care, however, is a type of care provided to people whose doctor has certified that they may not live beyond 6 months.

Despite common thought, this level of care is not only for those living with Cancer. Professionals often recommend in-home or live in Palliative Care to help relieve pain and stress during treatment for the following illnesses:

•  Alzheimer’s and dementia-related illnesses
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Kidney Failure
• ALS and Lou Gehrig’s disease

A common misconception of Palliative Care is that it is only received or required closer to the end of an individual’s life. This care can be received at any stage of illness to improve the physical and emotional well being of an individual undergoing treatment.