Who decides whether palliative care
is right for you?
Who decides whether palliative care
is right for you?
The decision to start palliative care is a collaborative effort between the patient, their family, and a multidisciplinary healthcare team at St George's Nursing Home Witham. This team typically includes a GP, nurses, social workers, and other specialists as needed.
The process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the patient's medical condition, prognosis, and overall quality of life. The healthcare team considers factors such as the severity of the illness, the patient's functional abilities, and their capacity to participate in decision-making. They also take into account the patient's care goals, which may include symptom management, emotional support, and spiritual care.
The patient and their family are central to the decision-making process. They should be actively involved in discussions about care options and encouraged to express their wishes and concerns. The healthcare team at St George's Nursing Home Witham is committed to providing information about palliative care, answering questions, and addressing any fears or misunderstandings. If the patient and their family choose to pursue palliative care, the healthcare team will develop a personalised care plan tailored to the patient's specific physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life, not to cure the underlying illness.
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness and can be combined with curative treatments. It's important to note that palliative care is not synonymous with end-of-life care. While it can provide support during the final stages of life, it can also benefit patients with chronic or serious illnesses who may live for many years.
Ultimately, the decision to start palliative care is a complex one that should be made collaboratively by the patient, their family, and the healthcare team. By considering the patient's individual needs and preferences, palliative care at St George's Nursing Home Witham can help improve quality of life and provide comfort and support during a challenging time.
Read more : Palliative care at St George's Nursing Home Witham
Contact us: If you would like to discuss care for either yourself or a loved one, do please get in touch and our friendly team will be happy to arrange an informal discussion in confidence, and show you around our wonderful home.