Palliative care is treatment, care and support for people living with a life-limiting illness. A life-limiting illness is an illness that can't be cured and that you're likely to die from.
Stage 4 cancer treatment often includes palliative care. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life and increase comfort. It is provided by a team of healthcare providers and social workers who work with seriously ill patients. It is not hospice or end-of-life care.
Some people live comfortably for months or years after a diagnosis of advanced cancer, and can be supported by palliative care as needed. For others, the cancer advances quickly so that their care is focused on end-of-life needs soon after their referral to a palliative care service.
Stage 1: Stable – Developing and Implementing the Care Plan. Stage 2: Unstable – Adjusting the Care Plan & Preparing Emotionally. Stage 3: Deteriorating – Shifting to End-of-Life-Care. Stage 4: Terminal – Symptom Management, Emotional & Spiritual Care.
Although it can include end of life care, palliative care is much broader and can last for longer. Having palliative care doesn't necessarily mean that you're likely to die soon – some people have palliative care for years. End of life care offers treatment and support for people who are near the end of their life.
What is end of life and palliative care? End of life and palliative care aims to help you if you have a life-limiting or life-threatening illness. The focus of this type of care is managing symptoms and providing comfort and assistance. This includes help with emotional and mental health, spiritual and social needs.
Pulse and heartbeat are irregular or hard to feel or hear. Body temperature drops. Skin on their knees, feet, and hands turns a mottled bluish-purple (often in the last 24 hours) Breathing is interrupted by gasping and slows until it stops entirely.
Palliative care:
Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Intends neither to hasten or postpone death. Integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care. Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death.
In palliative care, a person does not have to give up treatment that might cure a serious illness. Palliative care can be provided along with curative treatment and may begin at the time of diagnosis.
Active dying is the final phase of the dying process. While the pre-active stage lasts for about three weeks, the active stage of dying lasts roughly three days. By definition, actively dying patients are very close to death, and exhibit many signs and symptoms of near-death.
Stage Three: Deteriorating
During this time, the patient and their family may experience physical and mental distress due to the worsening situation. So, emotional support from counselors and therapists is imperative during this phase.
The end-of-life period—when body systems shut down and death is imminent—typically lasts from a matter of days to a couple of weeks. Some patients die gently and tranquilly, while others seem to fight the inevitable. Reassuring your loved one it is okay to die can help both of you through this process.
Transitioning is the first stage of dying. It describes a patient's decline as they get closer to actively dying. Generally, when one is transitioning, they likely have days — or even weeks — to live. I have seen some patients completely skip the transitioning phase and some stay in it for weeks.
Stage 4 cancer is a serious disease that requires immediate expert care. Patients may live for years following treatment for stage 4 cancer.
For most cancers where palliative chemotherapy is used, this number ranges from 3-12 months. The longer the response, the longer you can expect to live.
Hospice has a program that says that no one should have to die alone, and yet this hospice nurse is telling me to take a break? Some patients want to die when no one else is there. Hospice professionals know that companionship while dying is a personal preference.
Increased need for medication due to uncontrolled pain or symptoms. Shortness of breath. Difficulties performing the tasks of daily living: bathing, getting out of bed, getting dressed, walking, or preparing and eating meals. Increased number of trips to the ER and multiple hospitalizations.
What happens in the weeks before death? Most people who are dying feel tired. They may want to sleep more often, or for longer periods. They may want to talk less, although some may want to talk more.
When a person is brain dead, or no longer has brain activity, they are clinically dead. Physiological death may take 72 or fewer hours.
Terminal agitation is typically seen during the hours or days before death and can be distressing and overwhelming for caregivers.
Common symptoms at end of life may include pain, constipation, nausea, breathlessness, fatigue and delirium. Relieving these symptoms is a key aim of palliative care.
While palliative care includes end-of-life care, the key difference is that it can be used at any point along the treatment process. The time spent in palliative care differs from person to person depending on the illness and the type of support they need.