Palliative Care
For seniors and other individuals who have been diagnosed with chronic conditions such as cancer, COPD, congestive heart failure, dementia, emphysema, kidney or liver failure, lung disease, or neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, ALS, or Alzheimer’s, Visiting Angels palliative care in Palmer, MA can be a godsend.
What is Palliative Care?
Many people associate palliative care with hospice or end-of-life care; however, there are key differences between them:
- Palliative care begins at the time of diagnosis to help in the recovery process. This can be supplemented with professional caregivers who can provide comfort and can work alongside the specialized medical care that is being given. In addition to helping with physical recovery, palliative care can include help with emotional, social, practical, and spiritual needs.
- Hospice care begins when treatment has ended and the individual is not expected to recover. Per Medline, hospice is offered when a person is given six months or less to live. Visiting Angels Palmer offers end-of-life care and support during these final stages with a goal of keeping the individual comfortable and allowing the family to spend meaningful time with them knowing that their physical needs are being met.
What Chronic Conditions Does Palliative Care Address?
The palliative care services offered by Visiting Angels Palmer assist individuals coping with a variety of chronic conditions including cancer, COPD, congestive heart failure, dementia, emphysema, kidney or liver failure, lung disease, and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, ALS, or Alzheimer’s.
Are Palliative Caregivers Trained Differently Than Home Caregivers?
Visiting Angels caregivers are trained through a unique Palliative Care Certification Program. This non-medical certification educates caregivers on how to provide compassionate care to chronically ill individuals that will positively impact their quality of life physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Our professional caregivers will work alongside your loved one’s other care providers, which may include doctors, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, social workers, massage therapists, chaplains, and other home health care providers.
A Holistic Approach to Palliative Home Care Services
The Visiting Angels Certified Palliative Care Program takes a holistic approach to palliative care that sets us apart from other home care providers. Our caregivers focus on:
- Physical Needs: To help alleviate pain and provide personal comfort.
- Emotional Needs: To help instill positivity and a sense of well-being and purpose while helping to manage complex emotions such as anger, depression, and anxiety.
- Social Needs: To develop a close relationship, providing companionship to alleviate feelings of loneliness.
- Spiritual Needs: To help boost an overall sense of inner peace and purpose for both the individual and their family.
Although we do not provide medical services, our caregivers provide essential non-medical services and can work with your loved one’s healthcare team. We can also watch over them if they need to enter a nursing home.
Other Home Care Services Offered by Visiting Angels Palmer
Palliative care services can be provided at any time from the time of diagnosis through end-of-life care and they can be stopped or started as needed as symptoms change. Other services offered by Visiting Angels Palmer include:
Personal Care
From help with everything from bathing, dressing, and grooming to meal preparation and light housekeeping, our personal care services help seniors who struggle with life’s daily tasks.
Dementia Care
Our specialized dementia care services are designed for those who need help during the early, mid, and late stages of dementia, ensuring your loved one’s care and safety, and helping make this journey a little easier for everyone.
Fall Prevention
Our caregivers can aid with mobility and help identify and reduce the risks of slipping and falling in and around the home with our Safe & Steady Fall Prevention Program.
Respite Care
For family caregivers, our respite care services are designed to provide relief so that you can take breaks from your duties to take care of personal tasks or manage other responsibilities.
Ready To Learn More?
To schedule a free, in-home consultation, give us a call at (508) 344-9916 or Contact Us online to request more information.
Serving Palmer and the Surrounding Areas
Visiting Angels PALMER, MA
Maple Tree Industrial Center 21 Wilbraham St.Palmer, MA 01069
Phone: 508-344-9916