Palliative care is a crucial form of support for individuals facing serious or life-limiting illnesses. Its primary goal is to enhance the quality of life by managing symptoms, alleviating pain, and providing emotional and psychological support for both the patient and their loved ones.
But when is the right time to begin palliative care? Understanding when palliative care should be offered is key to ensuring comfort and dignity throughout the illness journey. In this guide, we’ll explore when someone should be offered palliative care, the conditions that qualify for it, and how early intervention can make a significant difference in the patient’s experience.
what is palliative care?
Palliative care is a specialised form of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious, life-limiting illnesses. Unlike curative treatments that aim to eliminate the illness, palliative care is designed to manage symptoms, alleviate pain, and offer holistic support—emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
- A holistic approach: Palliative care addresses not only the physical symptoms of a condition but also the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients and their families receive the full support they need during a difficult time.
- Where palliative care is provided: Palliative care can be offered in various settings, including at home, in hospices, nursing homes, or hospitals. Home-based palliative care, in particular, allows patients to remain in the comfort of their own environment.
- Difference between palliative and end of life care: While palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, end of life care is a specific part of palliative care reserved for those nearing the final stages of life. Palliative care is designed to improve comfort and manage symptoms at any point in the illness, while end of life care focuses on providing comfort during the final days or weeks.
when should palliative care be offered?
Palliative care should be introduced when an individual’s condition becomes difficult to manage with standard treatment alone. This may occur after a terminal diagnosis or during the progression of a chronic, life-limiting illness.
While palliative care is often associated with end of life care, it can be offered at any stage of illness, even when curative treatments are still ongoing. Early intervention can help alleviate symptoms, reduce emotional strain, and provide tailored support for both the individual and their family.
- Early intervention: Palliative care can begin soon after a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, even if the illness is still in its early stages. Early care ensures that patients do not suffer unnecessarily from pain, discomfort, or emotional distress and provides an opportunity to plan for the future.
- When illness becomes difficult to manage: Palliative care is often recommended when standard treatments can no longer control the progression of the disease or alleviate symptoms. This includes cases where the focus shifts from curing the illness to managing pain and improving comfort.
- As part of a comprehensive care plan: For some patients, palliative care is introduced alongside curative treatments. For example, during chemotherapy or other treatments for cancer, palliative care can help manage side effects, such as nausea or fatigue, ensuring a better overall experience with the treatment process.
what conditions qualify for palliative care?
Palliative care is beneficial for individuals living with serious or life-limiting conditions, whether the illness is terminal or chronic. It is particularly important when the condition cannot be cured but can be managed to improve the individual’s quality of life.
Common conditions that may qualify for palliative care include:
- Advanced cancer: As cancer progresses, palliative care is essential for managing pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, improving comfort during treatment or at the end stages of life.
- Chronic Lung Disease (COPD, Emphysema): Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung conditions can benefit from palliative care, especially as symptoms worsen or flare-ups become more frequent.
- Motor Neurone Disease (MND): This progressive neurological disease can benefit from palliative care to manage symptoms like muscle weakness, breathing difficulties, and swallowing problems.
- Parkinson’s disease: As Parkinson’s progresses, patients often experience mobility issues, pain, and cognitive changes. Palliative care helps to manage these symptoms, providing comfort and support for both patients and families.
- Dementia: For those in the later stages of dementia, palliative care is key to managing confusion, aggression, and other behavioural symptoms, as well as providing emotional and social support.
- Advanced heart disease: Conditions like congestive heart failure (CHF) can benefit from palliative care as the heart’s ability to pump blood diminishes, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling.
what symptoms can palliative care manage?
Palliative care is most commonly associated with pain relief, but it can also manage a wide range of other symptoms. The goal is to improve the quality of life by addressing physical discomfort, emotional distress, and practical needs.
Some of the most common symptoms managed by palliative care include:
- Pain management: Through medication, therapy, and comfort measures, palliative care providers work to relieve pain, ensuring the patient is as comfortable as possible.
- Loss of appetite: Patients experiencing a loss of appetite due to their illness can benefit from nutrition advice, small frequent meals, and emotional support.
- Nausea: Palliative care helps manage nausea caused by illness or treatments, using anti-nausea medications or dietary changes to alleviate discomfort.
- Constipation: Often caused by medication or reduced mobility, constipation can be managed with dietary adjustments, hydration, and, when necessary, medication.
- Shortness of breath: Techniques such as controlled breathing exercises, medication, and adjustments to the patient’s environment (e.g., fans or open windows) can help manage shortness of breath.
- Confusion: In advanced stages of illness, confusion can arise due to medications or the disease itself. Palliative care teams provide strategies to help manage confusion and ensure the patient’s safety and comfort.
- Sleep disturbances: Palliative care teams can offer relaxation techniques, help create a calming bedtime routine, and provide medication when necessary to improve sleep quality.
why do doctors recommend palliative care?
Doctors recommend palliative care for a range of reasons, depending on the patient’s condition and the progression of their illness:
After diagnosis
For serious or life-limiting illnesses, doctors may recommend palliative care early in the diagnosis to provide patients and their families with support. This helps them understand their options, manage symptoms, and plan ahead for future care.
To complement other treatments
Palliative care can work alongside curative treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, to help manage side effects like pain, nausea, and fatigue. By doing so, it enhances the overall patient experience and comfort during treatment.
When curative treatment is no longer effective
When curative treatments are no longer effective or are too aggressive, palliative care refocuses on improving the patient’s quality of life. It ensures comfort, symptom management, and emotional support, allowing the patient to live as well as possible despite their illness.
who pays for palliative care?
The cost of palliative care is an important consideration, and there are various funding options available depending on the patient’s needs and circumstances. From NHS-funded care to private options, understanding who covers the cost of care can help ease some of the stress associated with managing a serious illness.
To learn more about the different funding options for palliative care and how to access financial support, read our detailed article on who pays for palliative care and explore your available options.
What else should be arranged alongside palliative care?
In addition to initiating palliative care, there are two critical legal and practical steps that should be considered to ensure the patient’s wishes are respected and their care is managed effectively. These arrangements help protect the patient’s rights and ensure that decisions about their care align with their preferences, even if they are unable to communicate or make decisions themselves.
Advance decision
An advance decision, also known as a living will, is a legal document that outlines a person’s preferences for medical treatment and care in the event they are no longer able to communicate or make decisions for themselves. This decision provides clear guidance to healthcare providers and loved ones about the patient’s wishes, especially when it comes to life-sustaining treatments or interventions.
Having an advance decision in place ensures that the patient’s desires are respected and prevents confusion or uncertainty regarding medical treatment, particularly during critical moments when decisions must be made quickly.
Lasting Power of Attorney
Appointing a lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is another important step. This legal arrangement allows the patient to designate a trusted individual to make healthcare and personal decisions on their behalf, should they become unable to do so themselves.
The LPA acts in the patient’s best interests, ensuring that decisions about their medical care, living arrangements, and financial affairs reflect their values and preferences. By selecting someone to advocate for their needs, the patient can have peace of mind knowing that their care will be managed according to their wishes, even in challenging circumstances.
Palliative care at home
At Prestige Nursing & Care, we provide comprehensive palliative care and support that enables you to live a meaningful and purposeful life in the comfort and safety of your own home. Regardless of your age or condition, our care is tailored to your specific needs and guided by your preferences, giving you control over how you live your life and the level of support you receive.
We work closely with you and your family to create a personalised care plan that addresses your holistic needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual. By collaborating with local authorities, NHS services, multidisciplinary teams, and community organisations, we ensure continuity of care, adapting to changing needs and providing the right care at the right time. Our partnership approach ensures that your care is consistently coordinated and responsive, offering flexibility when your needs evolve.
A helping hand at home
For 80 years, Prestige Nursing & Care has been trusted by our clients and their families to provide competent and compassionate home care. Our care is focused on improving health and overall well-being, and all in the place people love most – their own homes.
Call us on 0808 239 1525 and our friendly care experts will discuss your care and support needs. You can also fill out our online enquiry form or email info@prestige-nursing.co.uk. We provide impartial guidance and advice so you can make the right choice for you and your family.
