Understanding Palliative Care

Palliative care helps someone with a serious or life-limiting illness live as comfortably and fully as possible.

It looks at the whole person, not just their illness. This can include physical symptoms, emotional and psychological wellbeing, practical needs and support for the people who matter to them.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care can be provided at different stages of an illness. It does not necessarily mean that someone is dying or that death is imminent.

Someone may receive treatment aimed at their underlying illness while also receiving palliative care to help manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Palliative care may help with symptoms such as:

• Pain
• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Anxiety or distress
• Tiredness
• Difficulties eating or drinking
• Other symptoms associated with serious illness

It can also help families understand what is happening, consider choices and plan for the future.

Who can receive palliative care?

Palliative care is not only for people with cancer. It can support people living with many serious illnesses, including heart failure, COPD, dementia, neurological conditions and other life-limiting illnesses.

It may be needed for weeks, months or years, depending on the person’s illness and circumstances.

Where can palliative care be provided?

Palliative care can be provided in different settings, including:

• Someone’s own home
• A care home
• Hospital
• A hospice

Different professionals may be involved, including doctors, nurses, carers, specialist palliative care teams and other health and social care professionals.

If someone’s needs are increasing, you may also find it helpful to read Carentis’ guidance on care at home and when it may be time to consider a care home .

Palliative care does not mean that care has stopped

One of the most difficult things for families can be understanding what palliative care means when an illness is becoming more serious.

Palliative care does not mean that someone has been abandoned or that nothing more can be done.

The focus may instead be on controlling symptoms, reducing distress, maintaining dignity and making the person’s remaining time as comfortable as possible.

Support for families

Families and carers often have questions, worries and practical needs of their own. The healthcare team should help explain what is happening and provide appropriate support.

You don’t have to understand everything at once.

If you are beginning to think about what may happen as an illness progresses, you can continue to read about when care changes .