Palliative Care

Question 1

What is the distinction between palliative care and hospice care?

Answer 1

• Palliative Care: Refers to treatments that start after a person receives a terminal diagnosis. Its goal is to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life.
• Hospice Care: A form of palliative care typically provided when life expectancy is less than 6 months. It can take place at home, in a hospice facility, or in a hospital.

Question 2

What are the two primary purposes of palliative care?

Answer 2

1. Relief of Suffering: Alleviating or improving pain, discomfort, and distress from physical and psychoemotional symptoms.
2. Quality of Life: Improving the person’s enjoyment of their remaining life through:
   • Comfort, support, and nurturance.
   • Engagement and reduction of isolation.
   • Improving processes like digestion and sleep.
   • Optimizing mobility and day-to-day functionality.
   • Skin health support and prevention of decubitus ulcers.
   • Assistance with managing the logistics of closing out their lives.

Question 3

What specific areas are focused on under the Quality of Life purpose in palliative care?

Answer 3

• Comfort, support, and nurturance.
• Engagement and reduction of isolation.
• Improvement of processes like digestion and sleep.
• Optimizing mobility and functionality.
• Managing discomforts from being in a wheelchair or bed.
• Skin care and prevention of ulcers.
• Reducing medication use, particularly those affecting cognitive function.
• Assisting in processing the journey toward death.
• Helping family and friends participate meaningfully, facilitating communication and resolution.

Question 4

What are the main areas where massage therapy is shown to be effective in palliative care?

Answer 4

• Pain reduction and management.
• Improvement of symptoms and reduction of symptom distress.
• Enhancing mobility and functionality for daily activities.
• Better stress management and decreased anxiety, promoting a sense of well-being and peace.
• Promotion of better-quality sleep and stronger appetite.
• One-on-one focused treatment adapted to the person’s needs.
• Providing a neutral person to talk to and confide in.
• Caregiver support may also be part of the role.

Question 5

What are the benefits of massage therapy for patients in palliative care?

Answer 5

• Alleviates pain and helps manage symptoms.
• Makes the body more comfortable and workable for day-to-day tasks.
• Reduces stress, anxiety, and promotes peace of mind.
• Improves sleep quality and appetite.
• Provides individualized treatment tailored to the person’s needs.
• Gives patients someone neutral to talk to, improving emotional well-being.
• Can assist caregivers, providing them with support.