| Palliatve care focuses on comfort and quality of life for clients |
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| Local Content - Local News |
| Written by publisher |
| Tuesday, 09 March 2010 15:52 |
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By Allison Werbowetsky Sometimes in healthcare, people experience long-awaited recoveries or even miracles. However, other times, hope of a cure is lost and attempts are made to make those last moments the best and most comfortable they can. Those moments are experienced in palliative care, not an easy place to be, for both the patient as well as family members. All staff of palliative care facilities attempt to be as empathetic and accommodating as possible. “When we deal with people in healthcare, we’re not dealing with healthy people. People have a problem when they come to us and they’re under a lot of stress, so we have to understand that and I think our staff do,” said Gloria Illerbrun, director of home care for Cypress Health Region. Palliative care involves patients living with advanced illnesses, which are progressive and life-threatening, Illerbrun explained. “When we admit a client to the palliative care program, that’s a client where curing is no longer the focus anymore. Our primary concern in those cases are comfort and quality of life, so we provide a comfort-focussed approach to alleviate suffering and maximize quality of life,” she added. In Maple Creek, palliative care patients can either reside in their home, the acute care facility at the hospital or Cypress Lodge long-term care facility. In almost all cases, patients have the choice, however often circumstances bring them to one of the two facilities. It all depends on what the patient needs, Illerbrun said, “because not all needs will require the hospital environment, but some will.” When a patient is referred to the palliative care program, those needs — physical, social, psychological, spiritual and familial — are all assessed to ensure they receive the best care possible. “We try to really emphasize keeping the family and client at the centre of the care planning — they will direct the care plan. We will adjust the care needs if needed through the progression of the illness,” said Diane Broks, director of long-term care. The majority of people wish to die in their own home, and in most cases that can be accommodated as long as there is a strong family unit available to help provide the appropriate care. However, “often, towards the end of life, things change. Where a family who thought they may be able to support their loved one through that process, they just find that they can’t — it’s emotionally and physically draining. Or perhaps that client’s needs become so intense that it’s not possible,” Illerbrun said. If the patient is placed in one of the two facilities in Maple Creek, it will likely be the one located closest to their home community, especially for those who live out-of-town. If that is the case, family members should understand that the healthcare staff at both facilities is dedicated to providing quality care, no matter what the circumstances. Neither location is ever left without adequate supervision. “In any long-term care site, there is a nurse on-call if they are not in the building, a registered nurse (RN),” Broks said. RNs have nearly the same professional capabilities as physicians, and can administer most medications to patients. However, if for any reason anyone is faced with the suspicion that they or a family member are being neglected or mistreated, they can lodge a complaint or concern to Susan Stolson, the quality support co-ordinator for Cypress Health Region. For nearly two years, Stolson has been responsible for keeping information given to physicians, nurses and residents of the communities regarding palliative care up-to-date and with the patients’ best interests in mind. Stolson is also working to increase the level of volunteer involvement within all palliative care facilities of the health region. People interested in reading to, talking to or simply sitting with patients are encouraged to apply. A volunteer training program was already successfully completed in Shaunavon eight months ago. Now, Stolson is working toward the same in Maple Creek by April and in Swift Current sometime in the next few months. Anyone with questions about palliative care is urged to contact Stolson at 306-778-5115. Also, anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at any palliative care facility within Cypress Health Region is encouraged to contact Shannon Frederick at 306-778-5140. |
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