What is Palliative Care?

A diagnosis of a terminal illness or a disease that requires long-term treatment can be tough on families. A survey on the attitude of Singaporeans on life before death shows a majority, 77%, wish to die from home. 

Palliative home care allows patients to remain close to their loved ones. Patients also tend to be more positive about palliative treatment when done in the comfort of their homes. Having their family close to them as they draw closer to death offers patients comfort and peace.

Palliative care packages have also become very attractive. The range of services and care products gives patients greater freedom to choose the best care, depending on the type of palliative care needed. 

Palliative Home Care Is Holistic

Palliative home care Singapore provides more than health relief. While the patient’s well-being is important, their emotional and spiritual health also matters. Some palliative care products include companionship, which is extremely important for patients whose families cannot offer the emotional support they need. 

Singapore has one of the largest ageing populations in the world. According to the Health Promotion Board, 1 in 4 Singaporeans aged 40 years and above suffer from chronic diseases, with the highest percentage suffering from diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and stroke.

Palliative home caregivers help patients follow healthy routines to manage ailments such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Despite the illness, patients with terminal illnesses are also guided on improving their quality of life. 

Palliative Care Offers Comfort To The Family

The diagnosis of serious illness causes anxiety, not just for the patient but also for the rest of the family. Unfortunately, patients need hope, and when the people around them are anxious, their health suffers. 

Palliative home care Singapore offers families hope. Palliative caregivers will discuss the challenges the patient faces and the importance of hope in palliative care. In some cases, the patient may be more concerned about the impact of their illness on their families. 

The patient may be worried about the cost of the illness to the family. It could be financial, emotional, or even the relationships amongst family members. 

Unfortunately, most patients will not voice their concerns to family, but they will discuss them with their palliative caregivers. When each member understands the fears of the other party, open communication will be possible. The family will also understand that their anxiety is affecting the patient.

Helps Patients Focus On What’s Important

Patients suffering from terminal or long-term illnesses often do not know how to proceed after the diagnosis. Most may have had their lives all planned out. They knew what they wanted to do, where they wanted to go, and how they hoped to live their lives in five years. Suddenly, these plans don’t matter anymore. 

Although the illness may seem like a death sentence, it doesn’t have to be. Some palliative products help patients to rediscover their passion and focus on what matters most to them. 

For example, a vacation was a great plan, but the patient may suddenly realize that he wants most to see his daughter get married. If the daughter had plans to get married in a year, she might be willing to bring it forward for the sake of her terminally ill parent. 

A large number of Singaporeans point to cost as the greatest deterrent to the palliative care package. However, many people do not know what palliative care is and its importance to patients and their families. Undoubtedly, the benefits outweigh the cost.