What Does It Mean When Someone Is in Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a specialised form of medical care that aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals coping with serious illnesses. Unlike treatments aimed at curing the illness, palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, managing pain, and addressing emotional, psychological, and spiritual concerns. When a cure is no longer possible, we can provide this type of care alongside curative treatments or as the primary focus.

The core goals of palliative care

At its heart, palliative care seeks to ensure comfort and dignity for the patient. Palliative care extends beyond end-of-life care, starting at diagnosis and continuing throughout the illness to accommodate the patient’s changing needs. Some key elements include:

• Symptom management: Alleviating pain, nausea, fatigue, breathlessness, and other distressing symptoms.
• Emotional support involves addressing feelings of fear, anxiety, or depression that often accompany serious illnesses.
• Family involvement: Supporting loved ones as they navigate caregiving and decision-making.
• The holistic approach involves focusing on the person as a whole, not just the illness, to provide meaningful care.

Palliative care teams often consist of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and therapists who work collaboratively to create a personalised care plan.

When is palliative care appropriate?

Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness, regardless of age or prognosis. Conditions commonly addressed include cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney failure, and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS or Parkinson’s.

It can take place in various settings, such as hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, or even the patient’s home, depending on their needs and preferences.

The role of medical cannabis in palliative care

Medical cannabis is gaining recognition as a valuable tool in palliative care. It can provide relief for many symptoms commonly experienced by patients, including chronic pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and anxiety.

• Pain management: Cannabis compounds, such as THC and CBD, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Improved sleep: For patients struggling with insomnia, medical cannabis can promote restful sleep.
• Emotional well-being: It may alleviate anxiety and depression, contributing to a better overall quality of life.

While palliative care focuses on comfort and dignity, medical cannabis aligns with these goals by offering a natural, personalised approach to symptom relief.

MARUCANNA provides access to medical cannabis for palliative care

If you or a loved one is considering medical cannabis as part of a palliative care plan, MARUCANNA provides expert guidance and tailored cannabis prescriptions. Their team of professionals understands the unique challenges of palliative care and works to ensure patients receive safe, effective treatment.

MARUCANNA takes a compassionate and informed approach, helping patients navigate legal and medical frameworks to access cannabis that meets their specific needs. By combining cutting-edge research with empathetic care, MARUCANNA empowers individuals to control their comfort and well-being.

In conclusion, palliative care is about much more than managing an illness, it’s about supporting the person as a whole. With innovations like medical cannabis and providers like MARUCANNA, patients have more options than ever to live comfortably and with dignity, even in the face of serious health challenges.