Palliative medicine is a specialized care option for patients suffering from severe illnesses. At Memorial Healthcare, patients with these sicknesses can participate in a robust palliative care program called Perspectives to experience an enhanced quality of life. People throughout Shiawassee County and its surrounding areas trust Memorial Healthcare for compassionate palliative medicine services.
What Is Palliative Medicine?
Palliative care gives patients with serious illnesses the opportunity to ensure that the care they receive aligns with their wishes. This interdisciplinary approach is intended to augment patients’ overall quality of life and is not based on the individual’s prognosis. In other words, palliative medicine delivers specific care needs that keep the patient comfortable as they strive for the best possible outcome.
Palliative care plans may include treatment for curing the disease while helping the patient manage their symptoms. From a palliative medicine standpoint, symptoms are not only those related to physical health. A provider will also offer the patient strategies for handling the emotional stress, psychosocial effects, and spiritual impact of battling a life-limiting disease.
Besides the patient, a palliative medicine doctor will extend assistance to family caregivers, as well. For instance, family members may need guidance in making care choices for their loved ones if they become incapacitated and can no longer make those decisions themselves.
What Diseases Require Palliative Medicine?
Palliative care allows a patient to better deal with the various manifestations of their disease, from shortness of breath and nausea to anxiety and appetite loss. Older adults often seek palliative medicine as it helps them cope with the health troubles that come from aging. Patients with the following sicknesses may be required to obtain palliative care:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic liver disease
- Congestive heart failure
- COVID-19
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Drug-resistant tuberculosis
- Eosinophil-associated disease (EAD)
- HIV and AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Kidney failure
- Liver disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurological conditions
- Parkinson’s disease
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Stroke
The Perspectives Program at Memorial Healthcare
The Perspectives Program takes an interdisciplinary approach to palliative medicine. It concentrates on delivering specialized medical and nursing care and symptom relief to patients with life-limiting disorders. Although the primary goal of The Perspectives Program is to promote a higher quality of life for patients, it can also act as a supplement to curative treatment. Currently, the hospital is accepting provider referrals for this palliative care program.
Palliative Care Providers
Typically, palliative medicine teams consist of multiple doctors and nurses who have special training in this field, as well as other specialists that provide additional support for patients. Nutritionists, social workers, and clergy members are just some of the professionals that make up palliative care teams outside physicians.
At Memorial Healthcare, Dr. Lynn Larson, DO, plays an important role in palliative medicine care. Dr. Larson is currently accepting new patients with most insurances. However, parents and guardians should note she does not currently serve child patients.
