1. Goals of Palliative Care
2. Misconceptions About Palliative Care
3. Palliative Care Team
4. Types of Palliative Care
5. Who Can Benefit From Palliative Care
6. How to Access Palliative Care
7. References

Palliative care is an interdisciplinary approach to care that’s designed to improve the quality of life for people facing serious illnesses. It’s an approach that focuses on relieving symptoms, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being for individuals and their families. 

Palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness, and it can be provided alongside curative treatments. The goal of palliative care is to help you and family achieve the highest quality of life possible, regardless of the stage of illness.

Palliative care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals who work together to provide a comprehensive approach to care. The team may include physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals who specialise in palliative care. Together, the team works to address your physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs and that of your family.

Palliative care is not just about end-of-life care. It’s an approach to care that can be provided at any stage of an illness, and it’s intended to help you and family achieve the best quality of life possible.

Goals of Palliative Care

The goals of palliative care are to improve the quality of life for patients and their families, to relieve symptoms, and to reduce stress. Palliative care is intended to be person-centred and to address you as a whole person, not just the  illness. 

The goals of palliative care may include:

– Managing symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue

– Improving communication between you, the family, and healthcare providers

– Providing emotional and spiritual support to you and family.

– Helping you and the family to navigate complex healthcare systems

– Providing support and counseling for caregivers

– Improving overall quality of life.

Palliative care is intended to be a comprehensive approach to care that addresses your physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs including that of the family.

Misconceptions About Palliative Care

There are many misconceptions about palliative care, including the belief that it’s only provided at the end of life or that it’s only for individuals with cancer. In reality, palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness and for person with a variety of conditions. Palliative care is not just about administering pain medication or making you comfortable in the final days. It’s a comprehensive approach to care that’s intended to improve your quality of life and that of the family..

Another misconception about palliative care is that it’s the same as hospice care. While hospice care is a type of palliative care, not all palliative care is hospice care. Hospice care is intended for individuals who are nearing the end of life and who are no longer receiving curative treatments. Palliative care, on the other hand, can be provided alongside curative treatments and can be provided at any stage of an illness.

Palliative Care Team

Palliative care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals who work together to provide a comprehensive approach to care. The team may include:

– Physicians who specialise in palliative care

– Nurses who specialise in palliative care

– Social workers who provide emotional and social support to you and your family.

– Chaplains who provide spiritual support

– Other healthcare professionals who specialise in palliative care

Together, the palliative care team works to provide a comprehensive approach to care that addresses your physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

Types of Palliative Care

There are several different types of palliative care, including:

– Inpatient palliative care: This type of palliative care is provided in a hospital or hospice setting. It’s intended for individuals who require more intensive care and support.

– Outpatient palliative care: This type of palliative care is provided in an outpatient setting, such as a clinic or doctor’s office. It’s intended for you if you are able to live at home but who require additional support.

– Home-based palliative care services: This type of palliative care is provided in your home. It’s intended if you prefer to receive care in your home environment.

– Paediatric palliative care: This type of palliative care is provided to children with serious illnesses. It’s intended to address the unique needs of children and their families.

No matter what type of palliative care is provided, the goal is always to improve the quality of life.

Who Can Benefit From Palliative Care

Palliative care can benefit anyone who is facing a serious illness, regardless of the stage of illness. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments, and it’s intended to improve the quality of life. 

Palliative care can also benefit caregivers and family members who are providing care for someone with a serious illness. By providing emotional and spiritual support to caregivers, palliative care can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

How to Access Palliative Care

If you or a loved one could benefit from palliative care, talk to your General Practitioner (GP). Your healthcare provider can refer you to a palliative care team or specialist. There are also many community-based programs that provide palliative care services such as Truworth Care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is palliative care, and how does it differ from hospice care?

Palliative care is a medical model that focuses on pain and symptom management, as well as emotional and social support. It can be accessed from the day of diagnosis onward and can help improve quality of life and extend longevity. Hospice care, on the other hand, is provided in the last six months of life.

 What is the goal of palliative care, and how can it improve the person’s life?

 The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for those facing serious illness and their families. Studies have shown that it can improve a person’s quality and quantity of life in conjunction with other treatments. Access to a palliative care team is critical for people who are suffering, especially if they have multiple layers of issues to deal with.

 How do caregivers view palliative care, and what are some common misconceptions about it?

 Many caregivers have questions about palliative care, and there is a lot of confusion around the concept. 

 What challenges does the healthcare system face in providing palliative care to all those who need it?

The availability of palliative care is limited, especially outside of hospital settings. The limited supply of palliative care clinicians is also a challenge for the number of people in need. Increased demand for palliative care will create more capacity for it in the healthcare system.

References

American Cancer Society. (2021). Understanding palliative care: What it is and what it isn’t. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/palliative-care/what-is-palliative-care.html

Hospice Foundation of America. (2021). What is palliative care? Retrieved from https://www.hospicefoundation.org/hospice-care/what-is-hospice-care/what-is-palliative-care/

National Institute of Nursing Research. (2014). Frequent Asked Questions About Palliative Care. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/frequently-asked-questions-about-palliative-care 

Palliative Care Australia. (2023). What is Palliative care? Retrived from https://palliativecare.org.au/resource/what-is-palliative-care/

1. Inform Yourself as Much as You Can About the Condition
2. Create a Network of Support for Yourself.
3. Create a Plan for Managing Symptoms
4. Make Lifestyle Changes.
5. Maintain Open Lines of Communication with Your Healthcare Team.
6. Conclusion
7. References

Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and obesity are among the most common and costly health problems worldwide. These conditions not only impact the quality of life for millions of individuals but also place a significant burden on healthcare systems.

Inform Yourself as Much as You Can About the Condition

As someone who manages a chronic ailment on a day-to-day basis, it is imperative that you educate yourself on your particular illness. With this information, you will have a better understanding of what to anticipate and how to treat symptoms when they appear.

Begin by gathering information about your ailment from your healthcare providers and conducting research online. Ask them for recommendations of books, websites, or other resources that you might use to further your knowledge of managing your chronic condition.

Additionally, it is essential that you educate yourself on the most recent discoveries in medical science that are associated with your condition. This may involve the use of newly developed drugs, treatments, or changes in lifestyle that have been shown to be successful in the management of symptoms.

You will be more equipped to make educated decisions regarding your healthcare and, as a result, enhance your quality of life if you educate yourself on your chronic illness.

Create a Network of Support for Yourself.

Managing the symptoms of a chronic ailment can be difficult, but having a solid support system in place can make all the difference in the world. It is vital to build a support system that includes both professional healthcare professionals and personal ties in order to properly manage your chronic disease. This support system should be able to assist you in a variety of ways.

The process of locating people who are able to offer emotional support is an essential component of building a support system. People in your family, circle of friends, or even other patients who are going through the same thing as you could provide this kind of support. When things get difficult, it’s crucial to have someone you can talk to about your worries and frustrations, as well as someone who can offer words of encouragement. Having someone to talk to about these things is important.

In addition to providing emotional support, professional healthcare providers are an essential component of any strong support system for the proper management of chronic illnesses. Your primary care physician, often known as a GP, is typically the first person you talk to about managing your health requirements. Your primary care physician can help you track your progress and provide advise on the various medical treatment options available to you during regular appointments.

Depending on the severity of your ailment and the requirements for your care, you may also receive assistance from other allied health professionals who are involved in your care. Dietitians, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other types of therapists could fall under this category.

There are many additional kinds of support available that you could find helpful in treating your disease. These include patient groups that are dedicated to particular conditions or internet resources such as government websites such as health.gov.au. In addition to these standard healthcare professionals, there are many other sources of support that are available.

Apps like MyFitnessPal or Headspace could be great tools for lifestyle changes alongside structured self-management programmes like GPMPs (General Practitioner Management Plans)and TCAs (Team Care Arrangements), which are medicare funded plans designed specifically for people living with ongoing complex care needs requiring ongoing multidisciplinarity. Finally, do not underestimate the role that technology plays today towards better management and control over some chronic conditions.

Your overall quality of life will improve, and you will be able to better manage your condition if you work on cultivating a vast network of mutually beneficial relationships — partnerships that provide a constant link between you and the people who matter most to you.

Create a Plan for Managing Symptoms

The development of a strategy for the management of your chronic condition can assist you in regaining command of your symptoms and enhancing your general state of health. To develop a strategy that will be successful, follow these steps:

Establish Precise Objectives To begin, you should establish precise objectives that are aligned with enhancing the quality of your life and effectively controlling your symptoms. Take into account the constraints of your condition when setting realistic goals for what you wish to accomplish.

Find Your Triggers One of the first things you should do is find your triggers, which might be things like certain meals, hobbies, or environments. Triggers can make your symptoms much worse.

Create a Plan for the Management of Your Symptoms In collaboration with your healthcare team, create a plan for the management of your symptoms. This plan should include the use of medications as well as changes to your lifestyle.

Track Your Progress: As you work towards accomplishing each of your goals, it is important to monitor your progress so that you may make any required adjustments.

It is crucial to review and update your symptom management plan on an as-needed basis, working closely with your healthcare team to ensure that it continues to be successful for managing the continual changes that are associated with living with a chronic condition.

It is important to keep in mind that having a methodical strategy for the management of chronic illnesses can assist enhance quality of life and limit the risk of future issues associated with neglecting the requirements for continuous care.

Make Lifestyle Changes.

Altering one’s way of life in order to better manage a chronic ailment is often one of the most productive management strategies that may be used. You can enhance your overall health and well-being, minimise symptoms, and even prevent issues if you develop healthy behaviours. These practises can help you live longer.

Maintaining a nutritious diet is one of the most crucial aspects of the lifestyle transformation. Eating a diet that is well-balanced and provides an abundance of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can assist in the management of chronic illnesses including diabetes and arthritis. In addition, there is evidence that suggests that lowering one’s consumption of processed foods that are rich in salt, sugar, or harmful fats can have a beneficial influence on one’s blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

Keeping physically active is another important modification in lifestyle that is vital for the management of chronic diseases. It has been demonstrated that engaging in regular physical activity can ameliorate symptoms such as pain and exhaustion that are associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, such as musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, it helps maintain muscle strength, which avoids additional decrease that is normally associated with ageing.

People who are dealing with chronic illnesses may benefit from practising relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises to lower their stress levels. Stress is known to make many health problems worse.

Last but not least, if you are a smoker, you should make giving up the habit a priority as part of your plan to make changes to your lifestyle. This is because smoking raises the risk factors linked with a number of ailments, including lung disease and cancer.

In general, your chronic disease will be easier to manage if you take baby steps every day towards adopting healthier choices in your everyday life. This includes eating well-balanced meals regularly and exercising often.

Maintain Open Lines of Communication with Your Healthcare Team.

Maintaining open lines of communication with the members of your healthcare team is one of the most essential tactics for the management of your chronic disease. Your primary care physician is just one member of your healthcare team, which also consists of specialists, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals who are involved in your treatment.

Establishing an open and honest relationship with every member of your healthcare team is the first step in improving your ability to communicate effectively with them. This requires you to be forthright about any symptoms you are having as well as any issues you may have regarding the treatment plan you are following. Asking questions when you don’t understand something or when you need clarification on a particular area of your care is another aspect of patient advocacy.

Another essential component of efficient communication is ensuring that all members of your healthcare team are kept up to date with any modifications to your medication schedule or current state of health. It is imperative that all of your doctors are aware of the medications you are currently taking, as well as the potential for those prescriptions to interact with one another. This is because various experts may be treating different areas of your ailment.

In addition to this, it is essential that you provide feedback regarding the degree to which a particular treatment plan is meeting your needs. If a drug is not relieving your symptoms or is producing undesired side effects, it is important that you communicate this to your doctor so that other treatment options can be considered.

Keep in mind that communication is a two-way street; therefore, it is essential that you give careful attention to what the other members of your healthcare team have to say. They could have information on new resources or adjustments in lifestyle that could assist improve the way your chronic disease is managed.

People who live with chronic diseases have the ability to guarantee that their treatment plan is appropriately suited to their individual needs and circumstances if they keep open lines of communication with all of the members of their healthcare team.

Conclusion

The management of chronic illnesses might be difficult at times, but it is possible to keep a high quality of life with the application of appropriate solutions. The proactive self-management of chronic diseases, including regular exercise, healthy food, and medication adherence, is essential to successfully managing these conditions. In addition to this, you should collaborate closely with the medical professionals who are caring for you to establish a bespoke treatment plan and routinely check in on their progression. People who live with chronic conditions have the ability to lead satisfying lives and lessen the influence that their conditions have on their day-to-day activities if they adopt a constructive mentality and make a commitment to self-care. It is critical to acknowledge that the management of chronic diseases is a journey that calls for patience, perseverance, and support from family and friends. Individuals who successfully manage their chronic conditions and seek the appropriate help in order to do so are able to have a higher quality of life. This is made possible by the implementation of effective methods and the pursuit of such support.

References

Bodenheimer, T., Lorig, K., Holman, H., & Grumbach, K. (2002). Patient self-management of chronic disease in primary care. JAMA, 288(19), 2469-2475. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.19.2469

 Coleman, K., Austin, B. T., Brach, C., & Wagner, E. H. (2009). Evidence on the Chronic Care Model in the new millennium. Health Affairs, 28(1), 75-85. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.28.1.75

Glasgow, R. E., Davis, C. L., Funnell, M. M., Beck, A., & Wagner, E. H. (2003). Implementing practical interventions to support chronic illness self-management. Journal ofthe American Medical Association, 289(23), 3135-3144. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.23.3135

 Silverstein, M. D., Qin, H., Mercer, S. Q., Fong, J., & Haydar, Z. (2018). Chronic disease management: Effectiveness of self-management interventions in patients with cerebrovascular disease. American Journal of Medicine, 131(6), 673-678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.01.040

Wagner, E. H. (1998). Chronic disease management: what will it take to improve care for chronic illness?. Effective clinical practice, 1(1).

Weingarten, S. R., Henning, J. M., Badamgarav, E., Knight, K., Hasselblad, V., Gano Jr, A., & Ofman, J. J. (2002). Interventions used in disease management programmes for patients with chronic illness—who’s using what? A systematic review of published reports. Disease Management and Health Outcomes, 10(5), 291-304. https://doi.org/10.2165/00115677-200210050-00003

1. Community Nursing Services Under the NDIS
2. Importance of Community Nursing Services
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
4. Conclusion
5. References

Assessments

Assessments are an important aspect of community nursing. These include health assessments, wound assessments, continence assessments and risk assessments. These assessments enable community nurses to develop an individualised care plan that caters to your specific needs.

The comprehensive health assessment aims to assess your overall health status and identify any potential risk factors. A wound assessment is done if you have an injury that requires attention, while a continence assessment identifies any urinary or faecal incontinence issues. Additionally, risk assessments help identify any safety risks that could harm your health.

Palliative Care

Palliative care is one of the essential services provided by community nurses in Australia. It is a specialized healthcare service that focuses on improving the quality of life of people like you with life-limiting illnesses. This care is designed to ensure that you can achieve the best possible care and comfort during your final days.

Community nurses play a vital role in providing palliative care to people like you. Their role is to provide emotional support, symptom management, and end-of-life care, including pain management. Their services ensure your comfort during your last days, enabling you to fulfill your wish to spend your remaining days within the comfort of your own home.

Wound Care

Wound care management is another significant service provided by community nurses in Australia. These nurses provide essential wound care management services to people like you with acute and chronic wounds. The services rendered include wound assessments, wound dressing, and educating you on wound prevention and management.

Wound care management is a specialized healthcare service that requires a high level of expertise. Community nurses are trained to offer wound care management services to ensure that you receive quality care, which facilitates your full recovery.

Chronic Disease Management

People like you living with chronic diseases require ongoing care and support. Chronic disease management is one of the core services provided by community nurses in Australia. These nurses offer you ongoing care, support, and education to manage and control your chronic diseases effectively.

Community nurses work with you to develop self-management strategies that help you understand your disease and its management. These strategies lead to improved health outcomes and fewer hospitalizations.

Medication Management

Medication management is another essential service provided by community nurses in Australia. These nurses provide medication management support to you by administering medications, managing medication schedules, and educating you on medication use and potential side effects.

The role of medication management in your care is crucial. You require properly managed medications to facilitate your healing process and manage other health conditions. Community nurses ensure that you receive the correct medications at the right time, which prevents confusion and improves medication compliance.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation services are essential to you if you have experienced injuries, disabilities, or are recovering from surgery. Community nurses provide rehabilitation services that facilitate your recovery process and improve your overall health. These services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitation methods that support your recovery.

Rehabilitation services are critical in helping you regain your mobility, strength and improve your quality of life. Community nurses play a crucial role in supporting you during the rehabilitation process, providing adequate care and support as you recover.

Community Nursing Services Under the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for community nursing services for eligible participants. The NDIS is designed to support people like you with disabilities to access healthcare services, including community nursing services. Community nursing services under the NDIS include wound care management, medication management, rehabilitation, and daily living support.

Wound care management under the NDIS is available for eligible participants requiring ongoing wound care management. Medication management services are also available to assist eligible participants in managing their medications correctly.

Rehabilitation services under the NDIS are available to eligible participants. These services are designed to facilitate your recovery process, which improves your overall health and quality of life.

Importance of Community Nursing Services

Community nursing services are essential in delivering healthcare services to you and your family members within the community setting. These services provide you with access to quality healthcare services while in the comfort of your home. Community nursing services also play an essential role in reducing the burden on hospital emergency departments, which reduces healthcare costs.

Moreover, these services improve health outcomes, especially for you and your family members living with chronic diseases. The services provide ongoing care and support, leading to improved health outcomes and decreased hospitalisations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What services do community nurses provide? A: Community nurses provide a range of services including palliative care, wound care management, medication management, rehabilitation, and chronic disease management.

Q: Who is eligible to receive community nursing services? A: Community nursing services are available to individuals who require healthcare services within the community setting.

Q: How are community nursing services funded? A: Community nursing services in Australia are funded through a combination of public and private healthcare funding sources. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is also available to eligible participants.

Q: Why is community nursing important? A: Community nursing plays a crucial role in improving healthcare access, and health outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.

Q: How can I access community nursing services? A: You can access community nursing services by contacting your healthcare provider or local community nursing services provider.

Conclusion

Community nursing services are an essential aspect of healthcare delivery in Australia. These services provide you and your family members with access to quality healthcare within the community setting. The services provided include wound care management, medication management, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and palliative care.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) also provides funding for community nursing services, ensuring that eligible participants receive healthcare services, including wound care management, medication management, and rehabilitation.

Community nursing services are vital in improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and providing you and your family members with access to quality healthcare services. Therefore, it’s necessary to continue to support community nursing services in Australia.

References

Australian College of Nursing. (2019). Community and Primary Health Care Nursing. https://www.acn.edu.au/nursing-resources/community-and-primary-health-care-nursing

Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA). (n.d.). Community Health Nursing. Retrieved from https://www.apna.asn.au/profession/what-is-primary-health-care-nursing/community-health-nursing

Canberra Health Services. (n.d.). Community Care Nursing. Retrieved from https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/community-care-nursing

Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (2021). Community nursing. Services and support for you at home. Retrieved from https://www.dva.gov.au/health-and-treatment/care-home-or-aged-care/services-support-you-home/community-nursing

Vital Home Health Services. (n.d.). What is community nursing? Retrieved from https://vitalhomehealth.com.au/what-is-community-nursing/