|
A division of Hospice of Chattanooga
 Palliative Care Services (PCS) was developed to serve the needs of patients who have a chronic long term illness. These patients may still be seeking a cure. They may even still be working! Over the last 25 years Hospice of Chattanooga has seen a growing need for care of patients who were actively seeking curative and comfort measures for extended periods and not the traditional end-of life timetable of Hospice Services.
Palliative care involves caring for the whole patient not just the illness. This means attending to:
- Your Physical needs.
- Pain Relief
- Easing Symptoms of your Illness: Nausea, Hygiene needs, Dry Mouth, Pressure ulcers, Constipation, and other discomforts.
- Care for other conditions that cause discomfort.
- Your Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being.
- Chaplains
- Bereavement counseling. You may be mourning the loss of a job, the bread winners ability to work, your own inabilities to do the things you used to do.
- Social Workers. Social Workers can help with the paper work, getting things in order, working with other agencies to help work through the webs of bureauacy.
- Emotional Support
- Help for Anxiety
- Treatment for Depression
- Spiritual psychosocial support, and
Palliative care can include care for loved ones that might benefit from emotional support. Occasional breaks from caregiving responsibilities also may be possible.
As your condition changes, you may choose to place more focus on comfort care. You may also decide to change or scale back medical treatment aimed at a cure.
Pain Control is an important part of palliative care. You have a right to good pain control! You should feel free to ask for medication as soon as you feel pain.
Remember: You are not being a “complainer” if you ask for medication. You have a right not to be in pain. The dosage can be increased as pain increases. Did you know that people receiving narcotics for pain do not become addicted!
 For more information call 423-553-1823.
|
