"To live until we are dying"

The World Health Organization defines palliative care as:

“…an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness….” 

I never fully appreciated this statement before being a family member of someone who has received, in the true sense, a palliative approach to their care. A palliative approach to care is all-encompassing and depends on physicians, nurses, allied health and volunteers. A palliative approach to care relies on person-centered care and the philosophy that, no matter how ill a person is or what stage of their journey they are in, they are always a person first. A palliative approach to care is a “philosophy to care.”

In my experience I see this reflected in the nurses, physicians and even the housekeeping staff on a palliative care unit. Everyone continually announce when they enter the room and explain to my grandmother what they are doing, even in these last days and hours when there is no response. As someone who sees the decline of a very strong (and strongly opinionated) woman, this means so much as it reinforces that although she can not voice her wishes, she is still being considered and respected.

These type of cares, offer you more control over your care and a comfortable and supportive atmosphere that reduces anxiety and stress. Your plan of care is reviewed each day by the palliative care team and discussed with you to make sure your needs and wishes are being met and that your treatments are in line with your goals. You can also expect relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Palliative care addresses the whole person. It helps you carry on with your daily life. It improves your ability to go through medical treatments. And it helps you better understand your condition and your choices for medical care. In short, you can expect the best possible quality of life

Because being a doctor does not have as an objective only attending to any medical unbalance that our patient comes with and forgetting it once it has been solved, but trying to treat our patients with love. Helping people feel better and live until they can. And palliative care allows patients to do just that.