Palliative Care
World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families who face the problems associated with life-threatening illnesses.
It starts from the time of diagnosis and can be provided in a range of settings such as hospitals, community health centers, hospice and patients own home. It entails a comprehensive assessment of the patient to understand their physical, psychological and spiritual needs. This is then followed by the formulation of a care plan to address each of these needs, which gets reviewed regularly.
Palliative care aims to:
- Provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- Affirm life and regards dying as a normal process
- Neither hasten nor postpone death
- Integrate the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
- Offer a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
- Offer a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and their bereavement
- Enhance terminal patients’ quality of life
At Blouberg family practice, we strive to provide these services to our frail and terminal care patients and their families. We value our patients wishes to spend their precious moments in their home surrounded by their loved ones and provide home-based services for those that need it.
