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Palliative Care
Homecare Services/Palliative Care
When serious conditions take hold of people, palliative care can provide relief of pain and symptoms. The focus on palliative treatment is to remove the stress of any illness, rather than trying to cure it.
Palliative care focusses on comfort and peace of mind for people and their loved ones. It can be applied at any stage of illness and to a variety of backgrounds. Conditions such as Cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s all benefit from quality palliative care.
Role of Personal Support Workers in Palliative Care
The purpose of palliative care is to relieve the suffering of individuals, minimize the symptoms of illness, and enhance the quality of life.
Personal support workers play a key role in palliative care, and perform a number of duties that contribute to a comprehensive care program. They must have the skills for effective care including knowledge and personal attributes that contribute to the well-being of the individuals they care for.
The following are duties required for the palliative care of individuals suffering from serious health issues:
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Assess and continually monitor symptoms
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Assist in the psychological and emotional stress of illness, while helping individuals and their families in the coping process
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Maintain communication with doctors, nurses, agencies and other health practitioners
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Assist with physical activity in and around the home
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Personal care including bathing, grooming, and feeding
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Providing comfort through massage and skin care
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Assist individuals in preparing food and maintaining the home
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Support the independence of the individual while providing assistance
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Be sensitive to cultural and religious preferences
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Help restore and maintain dignity and privacy while assisting in intimate care
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Provide catheter, colostomy, and wound care when necessary
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Collect specimens
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Record and document valuable data for prompt assessment
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Provide a comfortable and safe setting for the individual and family members
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Accompany individuals to any required appointments
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Assist in the care of pets or children
Relief of Symptoms
Symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea, and depression can add tremendous discomfort to an already difficult situation. We use palliative treatment methods to provide relief of these symptoms, while also guiding people and their families through the various, and often-difficult treatment choices.
Palliative treatment is ideal for those who are dealing with chronic illnesses as well as people who are at the end stages of life.