the active, total care of patients with life-threatening illnesses. Palliative care seeks to achieve the best possible quality of life through careful attention to pain and symptom relief, as well as psychological and spiritual care. While the focus of palliative care is caring for patients, rather than curing an illness, choosing palliative care does not mean that patients must stop seeking a cure for their condition. Palliative care allows patients the flexibility of pursuing treatment, while also receiving care for symptoms such as pain or nausea. Typically, as death becomes more imminent, attempts to cure the disease taper off, while palliative care measures increase.
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"We want everyone to ask themselves the question, would we be surprised if this patient died within the next year? If the answer is 'no', then the patient really should be offered palliative care."
~ Palliative Care Physician
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Even when it becomes unlikely that an illness can be cured, the EMMC Palliative Care Program can still provide specialized care. Palliative care strives to assist patients and families as they consider what will be most meaningful for them as they approach the end of life. Palliative care is a process, one in which patients can find support as they make difficult decisions, at their own pace.
Palliative care is a team effort, providing support and comfort. Our nurses and physician work with each patient and family to create an individual plan of care that will meet specific needs and goals. They help patients connect with those who can help them rest comfortably and put their minds at ease. Whenever appropriate, the team will expand to include people such as case managers, therapists, chaplains, and providers of needed social services or complimentary therapies.
Palliative care means our nurses are at the patient's bedside each day. They are available to reassure family members, as well as the patient. Palliative care is about being there to experience the emotions patients have as they near the end of life. And it's about providing support for the whole family network during this very difficult time.
"A large part of what I do is listen. There are times when I just pull up a chair and ask, how are you?"
~ Cindy, Palliative Care Nurse
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Palliative care gives patients a choice and an ability to control how they experience the end of their lives. Most people like to be pain free, like to choose where they receive their care, and with whom they surround themselves. The Palliative Care Program at EMMC allows the patient to make those choices.
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"We never came home to die. We came home, so that no matter what happened, he would be where we thought he would be the happiest."
~ Annie, wife of Palliative Care Patient
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While patients direct their own care for as long as they are able, as illness progresses family members may find themselves making more and more healthcare decisions for their loved one. It can be stressful as they struggle to decide what is best for the person in their care. Our palliative care nurses and physician provide support and reassurance to families throughout the course of the illness, explaining options and possible outcomes, so that each decision can be an informed decision.
"It's really important to have the support of the Palliative Care Program. They make you feel like you are doing the best that can be done. That you, as an inexperienced loved one, are doing fine. And they can tell you all the things that are available to support you."
~ Ann, daughter of Palliative Care Patient
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Pain and other symptoms can be so overwhelming that patients may have little energy for people and activities they love. Once uncomfortable symptoms are under control, patients can think about other things. They can focus on the quality of life. The Palliative Care Program at EMMC helps maintain quality of life for patients and families, making the end of life less about suffering and more about living.
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"I believe people, as they near the end, want to talk about the meaning of their lives. It's important to know that each patient has a story. And we all want to leave this earth having been remembered."
~ Jan, Palliative Care Nurse
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For a Palliative Care consultation, contact:
Eastern Maine Medical Center
Palliative Care Program
489 State St.
PO Box 404
Bangor Maine 04402-0404
Phone: 207-973-7000
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the EMMC Palliative Care Program is supported, in part, by private donations from the community. If you would like to help ensure this service is available to others, please contact:
EMMC Healthcare Charities
PO Box 404
Bangor Maine 04402-0404
Phone: 207-973-5055
http://www.emcharities.org
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