Palliative care is a specifically designed health care plan for people living with a grave illness. The primary goal of palliative care is to improve the patient’s and the patient’s family’s quality of life. Palliative care workers and staff members do this by addressing the unique physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of each of their patients.

However, while palliative care comes with many benefits, it can be hard for some people to determine when is the best time to begin palliative care. Unlike hospice care, there is not time limit or requirement to become a palliative patient. Any person with a serious illness over the age of twenty-one who meets the home health homebound criteria is able to benefit for palliative care.

Wondering what the signs are that indicate it is time to consider this beneficial healthcare service? Keep reading to learn all the important signs that it is time to receive palliative care.

You’re Noticing A Decrease In Your Quality Of Life

If you’re noticing you no longer enjoy the life you are living, it could be time for a change. Not receiving the right amount of medical care can cause illness symptoms to increase to the point where you no longer enjoy even your favorite activities.

Luckily, palliative care can give you the resources you need to take control of your remaining time and live a high quality life.

Your Pain Keeps Increasing

If the symptoms of your illness continue to worsen, it could be time to seek palliative care. After all, palliative care can address and alleviate the following symptoms:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Coughing
  • Diarrhea
  • Bladder problems
  • Labored breathing
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Delirium

Thankfully, someone can start palliative care at any stage of their illness. In fact, you can start palliative care as soon as you receive a diagnosis. The sooner you start palliative care the better. After all, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and pain can all begin very early on in your diagnosis. The sooner you being your palliative care, the sooner you can alleviate the negative, painful symptoms of your illness.

Your Caregiver Is Feeling Overwhelmed

Many caregiver selfishly devote their time and energy to care for an ailing loved one. However, sometimes caregivers become so focused on taking care of their patients that they forget to take care of themselves.

In fact, caregivers are often reluctant to say anything negative about their experience due to fear that others will view them in a poor light or simply because they don’t want to burden others with their troubles. However, if caregivers are not taking proper care of themselves they can end up damaging their own health in the long run.

Without proper support and assistance, caregivers can quickly experience caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is a state of being where the caregiver is feels completely physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. It can also lead to caregivers feeling depressed with a general sense of hopelessness.

Fortunately, palliative care helps takes a huge amount of stress off of caregiver’s shoulders. If your primary caregiver seems to be more irritable, gloomy, or overwhelmed, it could be time to consider additional support. Not only will this make things easier for your caregiver, it will also give you many benefits to enjoy as well.

You Want Additional Advice About Medical Procedures

Palliative nurses and team members can be your go-to team when it comes to choosing the medical procedures best suited for you. One of the goals of palliative care is open and honest communication to ensure every need of the patient is met. This includes letting your palliative care team know what type of treatment you wish to have or what type of health goals you currently have.

Palliative care team members can help you understand the risks of medical produces you are considering as well as the procedure’s chances of success. Throughout the duration of your palliative care experience, your palliative nurses will be there to help you. This ensures that you and your loved ones are never left in the dark when it comes to your health status.

You Need Additional Therapy and Support

Palliative care does more than provide primary medical care. This is because the average palliative care team includes more than just doctors and physicians. Your palliative care treatment can also include massage therapists, speech therapists, and more. Remember, palliative care does not necessarily mean end-of-life care. Some patients end up leaving palliative care and continue to live for many wonderful years.

Palliative Care Providers In Monterey

You’ve decided palliative care is the best option for your situation. But, how do you become a palliative patient? If you live within Monterey County you can get exceptional palliative care from VNA & Hospice. Simply call 831-375-9882 to arrange for palliative care services. Their experienced team members are available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.