More hospitals are offering palliative care programs and special teams of providers to improve quality of care and outcomes for seriously ill patients. Research has found palliative care programs can reduce hospitals costs and improve patients' quality of life, but insurers still might not cover services outside of physician visits and hospice care. The Washington Post/Kaiser Health News (3/28)
As you will see from many of my past posts on the care of the ageing, palliative care is so important to the future of healthcare. Comfort care is really a better name for it. Providing comfort and pain relief to those at the end stages of illnesses should be as primary a consideration as life-saving measures, even more so with the economy as it is. But an even bigger issue is educating patients and families in the choices they have, especially in the face of any limited hope of truly improving the life quality when a terminal situation exists.
It is no longer only cancer, every organ has its limits and end-of-life situations effect every one. Many integrative healthcare programs can provide the kind of comfort care that so many patients have earned and deserve. Palliative care therapies should consider aromatherapy, music therapy and massage/healing touch for patient with end stage illnesses...Just think how much nicer a chocolate chip cookie candle aroma and some Nat King Cole with a favorite blanket, pillow and maybe even a pet would be instead of Rib-cracking CPR, endotracheal tubes and the aroma of body fluids.
Patients and Families should KNOW all of their options and choices...
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