The home palliative care service seeks to palliate or alleviate the suffering of patients with serious illnesses in their own home thanks to the services of a doctor at home, avoiding transfers and hospital admissions. For the service to be of high quality, home medical care must be provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
What does palliative care consist of?
Palliative care is the comprehensive care of a patient with advanced or end-stage disease and his or her family, with the main objective of prioritizing their quality of life. From an interdisciplinary approach, both physical problems and the emotional and socio-familial dimension are addressed, in order to facilitate the process of adaptation. The basic tools are symptom control, emotional support and fluid communication, as well as continuity of care. Throughout the accompaniment process, autonomy and participation in decision making are encouraged.
Palliative care at home
The home is the place preferred by most patients to live this phase of their lives, as long as they are well cared for. The type of care is designed to be carried out with all the guarantees in the patient’s natural environment, his or her home. No hospital technology is needed since the medication necessary to control symptoms can be administered by the most appropriate and accessible route. It requires an experienced and well-organized team. It is important the collaboration of the caregivers at home, who do not require special knowledge, the professionals of the team will guide them.
Benefits of palliative home care service
- Access to quality care at the end of life
- Being able to choose the home as the place to spend the last days of life.
- Being able to be accompanied by family members
- Reduced inconvenience of hospitalization or emergency departments.
Patients in need of palliative care
- People with an oncological disease
- People with an advanced chronic illness
Diseases requiring palliative care
- Cancer
- Advanced or end-stage organ failure such as pulmonary, heart, liver or kidney failure
- Neurodegenerative disease such as dementia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis