![]() Palliative care is a medical specialty, in which no treatment option or aggressive intervention is ruled out as long as it aligns with the patient’s condition and goals of care. ![]() This generally means hospice patients will not return to the hospital, not receive IV medications, other than symptom relief medicines, and not continue chemotherapy or dialysis. Hospice care is for patients who have terminal illness with an expected prognosis of six months or less, if the illness follows the usual course. In other words, all hospice care is palliative care however, the opposite is not always true. Hospice care is a service that provides palliative care for terminally ill patients. Hospice and palliative care are not the same. UnityPoint Health ‚ Fort Dodge has both inpatient and outpatient palliative care teams. With this interdisciplinary team working with the patient and family, they are able to address the physical symptoms, as well as the emotional, spiritual, psychosocial and economic aspects of serious illness. Physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, nurses, chaplains and other therapists are all part of the palliative care team. Like cardiology or pulmonology, palliative care providers receive additional training in this field and are often certified. Palliative medicine is a medical specialty. Palliative medicine providers see all types of patients, from expectant parents experiencing an abnormal pregnancy to patients over 100 years of age.Ī palliative care evaluation can be helpful for patients with frequent hospital admissions or clinic visits, complex medical needs, global decline in function, transition to or need for a higher level of care, or a need to help with discussion about advanced directives and advanced care planning. Palliative care is appropriate for patients with various illnesses including COPD, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, liver disease, kidney disease or cancer. There is no study that demonstrates any reduction of lifespan by having a palliative care intervention. Palliative care has been shown and validated in numerous studies to improve quality of life for patients and families, relieve symptoms, reduce cost of care and possibly prolong life. Sometimes, just listening, answering questions and honest discussion of a prognosis is helpful. Overall, the goal of palliative care is to create a “goals of care plan” that honors patients’ wishes, making sure they know they have control of their medical future. The focus is on education, comfort, symptom management and quality of life by managing symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath, anxiety or nausea. This type of treatment involves a holistic approach to patients’ conditions. For more information, please call 749-2741.Palliative care is medical care for patients with serious or life-limiting medical conditions. Milwaukee Ave., PO Box 309, Storm Lake, IA 50588 or dropped off at the hospice office. Valentine's Day cards can be mailed to UnityPoint Hospice, 1305 W. Unity Point Hospice provides services to patients in nursing homes, private homes and hospitals and serves patients in Buena Vista, Sac, Calhoun, Cherokee and Clay counties. Hospice patients are visited numerous times a week by nurses and other hospice caregivers. 8 to allow for hospice staff and volunteers to deliver them in t!me for Valentine's Day. Smith would like to have cards turned in by Feb. She is hoping to receive as many as possible. Cards can be store-bought or homemade and do not need to be large or costly. It is a small gesture of kindness that can certainly make them feel special.”Īnyone who would like to participate, including children, is welcome to join in. “It may bring a smile and/or bring back pleasant memories of past Valentine Days. Valentine's cards can brighten the day not only for patients, but their families as well. ![]() Others have family members who are dealing with their own medical issues or who live out of state and are unable to visit. Smith said many patients, for a variety of reasons, do not have any nearby family members who are able to spend time with them. ![]() While the staff and volunteers of the hospice service could write the cards, she felt it would be better to involve the community. “We thought it would be nice for hospice patients to receive cards for Valentine's Day,” said Volunteer Coordinator, Cindy Smith. At UnityPoint Hospice/Storm Lake, they're hoping to make all their patients feel special and they are asking the public to help. Valentine's Day is all about spreading the love, and not just for your sweetheart. ![]()
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