Welcome to my site about palliative care

Death and dying isn’t usually a popular topic of conversation but, it is a real part of life. Talking about our wishes of what we would like when we die, from palliative care and funerals to organ donation and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, can make life easier at a time when it’s most challenging. Whether you stopped by because you’re working on a school project about death and dying or you’re in that situation right now, I hope you will find what you need here. If you have any questions or would like me to address a particular area that isn't covered, you can me and I'll see what I can do to help.

I have several articles I have written or found on the web that I find particularly interesting. I'm building this part of my site so it's likely that every time you come back, there will be information that wasn't here before. 

What is Palliative Care? 

The idea behind palliative care is to help a dying person live every remaining day to its fullest. Unfortunately, people who are dying from fatal diseases, like cancer or AIDS, are often too uncomfortable to be able to appreciate what is going on around them. They may be in pain, feel nauseous, be hooked up to urine bags, or just feel uncomfortable and alone. In order to live up to its premise, living every day to its fullest, the concept of palliative care is to help you live comfortably - not to cure you, but to help you live comfortably. 

How Does Palliative Care Help? 

Pain 

Pain control is a huge issue in palliative care. The goal for pain control is to help you be as pain-free as is possible, but at the same time, allow you to interact with your environment as much as you would like to and as much as you can. 

This balance can be delicate and it can take some trial and error to find the right medication combination. And, as your condition changes, your pain medication needs will likely change as well. 

Nutrition 

Another issue that people in palliative care often face is nutrition. They're often not hungry and nothing tastes good any more. If you are receiving palliative care, nutrition is important, but not in the same way as in making sure you get enough of a certain food group or nutrients. 

Food and drink are pleasurable for many people and the loss of being able to enjoy their favorites can be disheartening. However, there's no reason why you can't enjoy a little bit of what you love, be it a bit of wine, a piece of cheesecake, even a hamburger. While most people won't eat the whole thing, sometimes just knowing that they can have a nibble of that hotdog or a sip of that beer can make all the difference in the world. 

Helping with Other Needs 

People who are dying have many physical needs that need to be met. They include help with getting comfortable in bed, especially when they can no longer move around on their own, help with going to the bathroom and help with cleaning. 

But the goals of palliative care are far more than the physical aspect. The staff is also dedicated to listening, talking, and educating. If you are dying and need to talk, they're there for you. If you need spiritual guidance, this can be arranged, as can social workers, psychologists, and just about any type of professional you can think of. 

Finally, part of helping someone through the process of dying includes helping their family and friends. By being there to answer questions and to help, the palliative care staff can help family and friends understand the process you are going through. Palliative care encompasses many things but never forgets its goal - it's not about dying, it's about helping you live until you die. 

Read my article on the importance of the awareness of palliative care: 

Palliative care, Raising awareness key to improving access