Palliative Care Focuses on Comfort and Dignity

No family is ever ready to face it when it happens: an older parent facing a life threatening illness. There may come a point when a doctor recommends a transition to palliative care. This may be the most important and sensitive phase of treating an illness, and families should enter into it prepared and informed. The two cornerstones of end of life care in Canada are comfort and dignity. Caregivers focus their efforts on easing the patient’s pain and discomforting symptoms. Chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, other dementia-related diseases, cancer, and cardiac disease may eventually lead to an end of life treatment plan. If you or your elderly parent lives in Edmonton, rest assured that there are quality home care agencies you can depend on to improve your parent’s quality of life.

Easing Physical Symptoms

Treatment targets symptoms like chronic or acute pain, nausea, and confusion, as well as a loss of interest in food or an inability to eat. Trained caregivers offer assistance with housekeeping, grooming, managing doctor’s appointments and medications, and if it’s necessary, even help with eating. To find out more about where personal support workers fit in at this stage of treatment, read about palliative care in Edmonton at Mavencare.com.

Addressing Spiritual Beliefs and Emotional Well-Being

Pain reduction is only one part of a system of palliative care, which is typically delivered by a team. Psychological and spiritual guidance may be integrated into the process as well. A spiritual or psychosocial advisor may be an integral part of a team that also includes the doctor and the palliative care nurse.

Respect and Dignity

The aim of this treatment plan is to enable seniors with life-threatening illnesses to live with respect and dignity, free from pain and able to enjoy moments as much as they can. This is the time for family to be present as well as a priest, minister, or rabbi who can help with the patient’s spiritual concerns.

Wish List

Caregivers from Edmonton agency Mavencare are available to help with escorted outings when you’re not available. They provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, but they also accompany patients on simple outings and to social events. Your mother should enjoy herself as much as possible at this stage, and that means attending social events or special occasions she’s always loved or wanted to attend.

Relief for the Family

Palliative care providers in Edmonton give families relief with the knowledge that their loved ones are in the right hands. Families that aren’t able to be near their loved one should consider hiring an agency that uses a home monitoring application to stay in the loop. Families using the Mavencare app receive live updates via texts and photos from caregivers so they always know what’s going on. It’s not always possible to be close to your loved one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of the process. Stay connected by getting help from an agency in Edmonton.