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HOSPICE EAST RAND – Understanding Palliative Care: A Holistic Approach from Diagnosis

In the realm of healthcare, palliative care stands as a guiding light, offering solace, compassion, and comprehensive support to individuals and their loved ones facing life-threatening illnesses. It encompasses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care provided by a team of experts from various disciplines. This care extends from the moment of diagnosis and, when necessary, extends to bereavement support.

Palliative care focuses on enhancing the quality of life, and over 90% of the care provided by members of the Association for Palliative Care (APCC) is home-based, emphasizing comfort and promoting a sense of well-being.
Despite the invaluable availability of palliative care from the point of diagnosis, a prevailing misconception persists – that it is synonymous with “end-of-life” care. Palliative care, however, is holistic care offered to individuals from the time of diagnosis, providing a multidimensional approach to addressing the challenges of life-threatening illnesses.
The importance of spreading awareness about the scope of palliative care cannot be understated. The more people understand they can reach out for support from the very beginning of their diagnosis and receive ongoing care throughout their treatment journey, the more lives we can positively impact – whether the journey be one of curative treatment or facing terminal conditions.
Palliative care operates with the philosophy of kindness and compassion. It is about improving the quality of life, often alongside curative treatments, and even extending life. Patients and their families often shy away from seeking palliative care, believing it to be a sign of giving up. The reality is far from it – palliative care enhances the overall quality of life, addressing both physical symptoms and emotional well-being.
Navigating a serious illness can be difficult, especially when it comes to managing complex and distressing symptom. Here, palliative care steps in. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for patients living with serious illnesses. Our services extends into the patient’s homes, working hand in hand with oncologists, physicians, surgeons, and a range of clinical experts to provide the most comprehensive care possible.
“A prevailing challenge is the late referral of patients to Hospice East Rand, often due to the misconception that only end-of-life care is provided, says Jonquil Siepman, marketing and media liaison for Hospice East Rand. “This delay not only impacts the patient’s access to beneficial care but also deprives families of much-needed support. Recognizing the value of early intervention, particularly at the diagnosis stage, can bridge the gap and ensure that palliative support commences simultaneously with curative treatments.”
In the vast tapestry of healthcare, palliative care weaves threads of empathy, compassion, and dignity. Let us collectively change the narrative, making sure that individuals and families are aware that palliative care stands as a source of support and strength from the very start. It’s a philosophy that upholds the inherent worth of every individual, fostering a sense of comfort, care, and understanding in the face of life’s most challenging moments.


For more information or to seek palliative care, please contact Hospice East Rand on 0114221531.


JONQUIL SIEPMAN
Marketing and Media Liaison

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