How can palliative care help me?

^{Written for care recipients.}

Palliative care is a form of medical care that helps people with serious or life-limiting illnesses live as comfortably as possible.

If you are receiving care for a serious illness, the chances are that palliative care can be helpful for you.

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and assisting with practical issues to support your independent living at home - medically and otherwise.

It empowers you to make care decisions that reflect your values, wishes, and needs. Therefore, if you want to stay home and spend time with your loved ones, palliative care provides the support and tools to do so.

The aim of palliative care is to:

1. Help you be as comfortable as possible.
2. Relieve pain and discomfort, by managing your symptoms.
3. Support informal caregivers, like your family or close friends.
4. Help you prepare and plan ahead.
5. Educate you about your condition and put you in the driver's seat.

In short, the best thing about palliative care is that it’s based on your individual needs and not your diagnosis or prognosis.

Palliative care goes beyond medical care and covers things like:

• Treatment or prescribing medications to ease your symptoms.
• Emotional support, such as advice about talking to family about your illness.
• Support and advice for your family.
• Medical evaluations and treatments.
• Guidance on understanding the healthcare system and your individual needs.
• Practical support, such as help with financials, legalities, insurance, housing or job-related problems.
• Support with advance care planning and end-of-life care.
• Physical therapy and other rehabilitation.
• Facilitating conversations with a spiritual leader of your choice.
• Social interactions, such as family visits or organised activities.

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