Palliative Care: What Is It, How Is It Received, and What Are Its Conditions?

Palliative care is highly effective in reducing the negative impacts experienced by patients and their families during the lifelong treatment process and in alleviating complications related to the disease, thereby improving the quality of life.

Chronic diseases are among the health issues that involve a challenging lifelong treatment process. When patients face chronic illnesses from adulthood into old age, they may become psychologically affected due to exhausting treatment procedures and frequent hospital visits, leading to wear and tear. This situation can introduce factors like stress, which may result in decreased treatment efficacy and lower quality of life for the patient. Patients living with serious chronic illnesses require a support layer between the hospital and home to both alleviate symptoms and minimize losses arising from communication gaps during the treatment phase. Palliative care practices, which have seen increased demand and need in recent years, constitute this necessary support layer. Palliative care is highly effective in reducing the negative impacts experienced by patients and their families during the lifelong treatment process and in alleviating complications related to the disease, thereby improving the quality of life.

What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a specialized medical care aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing the quality of life, and minimizing stress for patients facing serious illnesses. This care is vital for both the patient and their family, as it provides an additional support layer for all procedures related to the patient's treatments, thus improving the treatment process. Palliative care is delivered by a team composed of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals related to the patient's health issues. The care process is generally planned according to the needs of the patient rather than the progression of the disease, increasing the patient’s compliance with their treatment process. Patients of all ages and stages of illness requiring long-term treatment for a serious health issue can receive palliative care in addition to the standard treatment process.

How to Receive Palliative Care?

Palliative care is an approach that individuals with serious illnesses can access at any stage of their disease. Additionally, it is possible to receive palliative care from childhood to adulthood when such a disease is present. Patients wishing to receive palliative care should apply to healthcare institutions that provide this service. The initial examination is usually conducted at the healthcare facility, where a detailed medical history is taken, and information about existing diseases and medications is gathered. Physical examinations are then performed, necessary diagnostic tests are conducted, and the patient is also assessed psychologically. The palliative care team evaluates the existing treatments and creates a care plan aimed at improving the patient's quality of life and increasing the success of the treatment. When developing this plan, the symptoms of the disease and how these symptoms and treatment applications affect the patient and their family are also taken into account. The primary goal of the care plan is to alleviate pain and distressing symptoms, thereby improving daily living. Additionally, it aims to prevent psychosocial harm to the patient and their family during the illness management process as much as possible. The established palliative care plan enables you to coordinate with your primary palliative care team and implement your treatment practices more efficiently with their support. Scientific studies indicate that initiating palliative care as early as possible in serious illnesses helps to enhance quality of life, prevent issues like depression and anxiety, and improve the comfort of both patients and families. Furthermore, some studies suggest that initiating palliative care early may also have an impact on prolonging the patient's lifespan.

What Are the Conditions for Palliative Care?

Palliative care practices, also referred to as supportive care, are provided to patients with serious illnesses who require assistance. Individuals, particularly older adults, with chronic diseases often need palliative care much more than others. Palliative care services can be delivered in a hospital setting, at home, in primary healthcare facilities, or in nursing homes. Several conditions are prioritized for admission to palliative care, including the patient being bed-bound, unable to meet nutritional needs orally and requiring enteral or parenteral feeding, experiencing severe pain, and facing age-related issues such as falls and incontinence (loss of bladder control) or the development of resistant pressure sores. Additionally, patients with end-stage cancer, chronic neurological diseases, muscle disorders, and severe dementia are also prioritized. Individuals with serious chronic illnesses that lack a definitive (curative) treatment are strongly advised to receive palliative care. Moreover, palliative care services can be offered to individuals of all ages with serious health issues. The acceptance criteria for this service may vary depending on the healthcare institution where the service is provided.

What Is Done in Palliative Care?

The palliative care plan is tailored by the healthcare team to fit the patient’s lifestyle and needs. Key steps include addressing the symptoms the patient is experiencing and implementing preventive treatments for them. These interventions enhance the patient’s well-being and quality of life. Some symptoms that can be improved or alleviated with palliative care include:

• Pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Depression
• Anxiety and irritability
• Breathing difficulties
• Anorexia
• Sleep problems
• Fatigue
• Digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation

During the treatment process, especially when facing a serious illness or approaching the end of life, the palliative care team provides support in the decisions that need to be made by both the patient and their family. In terms of enhancing quality of life and improving the patient’s well-being, techniques such as breathing exercises, hobbies, rehabilitation practices, and psychological therapies are included in the guidance of the palliative care team. The care process involves assessing the patient’s goals and desires, providing necessary support to help achieve them. Additionally, for patients with requests like wills, necessary guidance is offered to support the patient in every aspect. Based on evaluations made by doctors, nurses, and other health professionals in the palliative care team, consultations may be arranged with different medical units if deemed necessary. The healthcare team also maintains constant communication with practitioners regarding the patient's ongoing medical treatments and follow-up processes, working in coordination with these units.

What Diseases Does Palliative Care Address?

Palliative care can be applied in the presence of any serious chronic illness that limits quality of life. All patients, regardless of age—children, adults, or the elderly—can receive palliative care support. Common diseases that often receive this care include:

• Cancers
• Heart diseases
• Stroke (cerebral infarction)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Muscle and nerve diseases leading to tissue and functional impairment
• Blood and bone marrow diseases requiring stem cell transplantation
• End-stage liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Chronic lung diseases
• Parkinson’s disease
• Congenital diseases
• Chronic diseases causing mobility limitations or bed dependence for various reasons

While these are generally the groups of diseases that frequently require palliative care support, there are many other types of illnesses that may also necessitate palliative care that are not listed here. Therefore, individuals of all ages with chronic diseases requiring lifelong treatment who experience symptoms that hinder their ability to lead a quality life can seek evaluation for palliative care. If you or your loved ones need palliative care services, you can seek information and apply for assistance.