What is Palliative Care?

One of the services offered by Freiheit Care Inc. is palliative care at home. Palliative care is the term that refers to the care given to individuals experiencing severe, life-limiting illness. Also known as ‘comfort measures’, it aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care is not treating the illness, but treating the symptoms that the illness produces. For this reason, palliative care is sometimes offered in conjunction with treating the primary illness.

What Kind of Services are Provided?

• Medical care to facilitate pain and symptom management
• Personal support services (e.g. personal hygiene, dressing, toileting, assistance with light housekeeping)
• Psychological support, such as psychotherapy or bereavement services for the individual and family
• Physiotherapy, dietary planning, pharmacy support, social work & other family services
• Chaplains and other spiritual advisors

Who Can Get Palliative Care?

Anyone with a life-limiting illness qualifies for palliative care. They do not need to be at end-of-life to receive it.

Individuals who may benefit from palliative care are:

• Those living with Cancer
• Individuals with Heart Disease
• Those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Adults with Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
• Individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) & Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

What Does Palliative Care Include? (The following section is sourced from “What is Palliative Care?”)

Palliative care takes a holistic approach to addressing the many symptoms and complications to a persons’ life-limiting illness.

Physical Problems

Symptoms or side effects of disease may include:
• Pain
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea

Treatments may include:
• Medications
• Nutritional support
• Integrative therapies (such as physical therapy, massage therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy [for difficulty swallowing])

Psychosocial Problems

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Caregiver support
• Failure to Cope/Failure to Thrive

Support is also provided to families at this time, as they are also experiencing these psychosocial challenges

Treatments may include:
• Psychotherapy
• Family meetings
• Support groups

Practical Matters

• Legal matters
• Financial questions/concerns
• Housekeeping
• Child-care for other children in the family

Support may include:
• Meeting with a social worker
• Referral to a financial advisor/financial counsellor
• Homemaking services

Palliative Care Options

• In-hospital palliative care
• Hospice palliative care
• In-home palliative care

How Can Freiheit Assist You?

At Freiheit Care Inc. we have trained staff who are dedicated to providing premium home care services, including palliative care at home. Our companions, personal support workers and nurses are all overseen by our Director of Nursing and are supported in the care they provide to you at home.

Freiheit Care Inc. will work with your physicians and primary care team to ensure we are providing you with the most relevant care. Our range of services offered ensures that we can provide you with the best care possible, at whatever point you are in your palliative efforts. Call us at (613) 518-8258 to speak with our Intake Specialist and RN to set up your in-home assessment, so we can assess your needs and plan the necessary care provisions accordingly.

Additional Resources

We know that these are difficult decisions and we hope these additional resources are helpful for you if you are looking into palliative care options for yourself or a loved one. 

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/palliative/palliative_questionsandanswers.aspx
https://www.closingthegap.ca/guides/palliative-care-in-ontario-everything-you-need-to-know/#definition

Explore job opportunities for caregivers near you: https://ca.jooble.org/jobs-caregiver