Myths and Facts about Palliative Care – Breaking Down the Misconceptions
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Many consider palliative homecare to be synonymous with end-of-life care, which is why people often give up on it. This is one of the many reasons that only 14% of people in need of palliative care receive it.
Believing these myths has led to many resigning themselves to their painful state and essentially giving up on the act of living. But the truth is something else. Palliative care is not about fearing death, but making peace with it, while embracing the highest quality of life which makes the last days of a patient more dignified.
However, the misconceptions around palliative care are many, and those willing to address them are few. Therefore, through this guide, we reveal the most critical misconceptions around this life-affirming form of healthcare before we break them down and reveal the reality.
Removing all the Myths about Palliative Care
There aren’t one or two reasons people shy away from palliative care; there are many. Here we break down each myth with reality.
Myth 1 – Pain is an Inevitable Part of Dying
Many patients find themselves resigning to the pain that comes with their life-ending disease. They accept that it is just part of the process and nothing can be done about it.
Fact: If patients are given proper palliative care, pain becomes the easiest part to manage. From the right foods, right forms of exercises, and a proper combination of rest and activities, patients experience little to no pain during their journey.
Myth 2 – Palliative Care Means the Doctors Have Given Up
‘Palliative care means nothing can be done for me’ is a belief that many patients hold. The stress that accompanies serious illness doesn’t let them see the good palliative care can bring, leading to the deterioration of their mental health as much as their physical health.
And these concerns aren’t unwarranted. One spokesperson of Palliative Care Australia has even said, ‘Unfortunately, we believe that doctors do convey a sense of hopelessness when it comes to palliative care, which causes some grief’.
Facts: Palliative care is about changing perceptions. With the right team, the end of the journey can be hopeful and filled with positive experiences. The team providing these services focuses on instilling a positive outlook towards life. Doctors don’t ‘give up on their patients’; they just make their end-of-life journey as meaningful and comfortable as possible.
Myth 3 – Palliative Care is Only Available for the Last Few Days of Life
Patients think that palliative care means they only have a few days, or even hours remaining. This often leads to people giving up on self-care quickly, which subsequently leads to more suffering due to elevated levels of pain and stress. The belief that their last days will be spent inside a medical care facility instills even more hopelessness into the mix.
Facts: Palliative care is about keeping the body healthy. The team providing it works towards maintaining the highest quality of life throughout the course of the illness. They focus on acts like pain relief, restoring mobility, and overall well-being. The goal here is to make people healthy enough so that they can spend time with their loved ones.
Myth 4 – Palliative Care Hastens Death
Many people believe that palliative care hastens death. There are many psychological and historical factors related to this belief. One of them is that palliative care is the evolution of hospice care that could only be provided within hospice facilities. When it comes to psychological factors, people have often associated specialized care with severity.
Facts: The reality is palliative care enhances longevity and quality of life. Many people with serious illnesses often get palliative care for years on end, which subsequently ends up extending their lives in most cases.
Myth 5 – Palliative Care is Only for Cancer Patients
Another big myth about palliative care is that it is only meant for cancer patients. This stems from the malignant nature of the disease and its high mortality rate.
Facts: Palliative care is not exclusive to cancer patients. Patients dealing with heart diseases, dementia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, kidney failure, HIV/AIDS, ALS, or other serious illnesses can also take advantage of it.
Myth 6 – Palliative Care is Only Applicable at the Hospital
As we already mentioned, palliative care is an evolved form of hospice. And since hospice care facilities could only provide their services within their premises, people believe that if they choose palliative care, they won’t be able to leave the hospital. This is a myth.
Facts: The truth is that palliative care at home is not only possible, it is also encouraged. Palliative homecare can quell anxiety and stress, which is especially important for those who consider themselves ‘homebodies’.
Whether it is a care unit, a residential care facility, a community, or a home, palliative care is accessible everywhere. This care can be provided by teams. And in certain circumstances, even family members can be trained in providing some forms of simple care.
Conclusion
Understanding what palliative care can do through the lens of myth is important to reveal the true and comprehensive nature of this form of healthcare.
The reality of palliative healthcare is simple. It does not signal the end, and the treatment options it provides are only stacked atop the existing ones. Furthermore, modern technologies have ensured that it is not limited to hospitals; people can get it at home as well.
Therefore, instead of seeing palliative healthcare as something that can restrict independence, it should be perceived as an approach to empower patients and respect their choices.
Image: Getty Images on Unsplash
Find out more
Here’s a very practical article about the process of dying that would be useful for families to understand
