When Serious Illness Strikes
Serious and chronic illness challenges patients and families with some of the most difficult decisions in their lives. How do I make sure my loved one receives the best care possible? How do I know what they need and how to meet that need? Is there a point when the spiritual, physical and emotional costs of my continued treatment are too high for me? How can I reduce the burdens on my family? How will I meet the needs of my chronically ill loved one and still juggle a job, family, and household demands? I may have only a limited time to live—how do I complete my life in comfort and with meaning?
At some point in time, we will all face questions like these. That’s why the new Providence Palliative Care program is one of the hospital’s most important fundraising undertakings in decades—a program that is almost completely dependent on private donations. Through support of this program, you will ensure that Providence fundamentally fulfills the heart of its mission—to care for people from birth through death.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care treatments are designed to ease pain, reduce stress and enhance quality of life in spite of life-limiting illness. Palliative care treatments complement therapies aimed at reducing or curing illness. At its best, palliative care treatment begins early in an illness. Providence staff work together, across medical disciplines, to reduce discomfort and pain and address the unique emotional and spiritual needs of each patient.
As palliative treatment continues over time, patients develop a trusting relationship with Providence staff that assists and empowers patients and families to:
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Find physical, emotional and spiritual comfort for ill loved ones |
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Better understand medical information and options |
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Better coordinate care and navigate the medical system with less stress |
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Identify surrogate decision makers |
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Explore the wishes of loved ones |
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Make informed, medical decisions that reflect personal values |
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Write clear and concise advanced planning directives for final stages of life |
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Ensure that the loved one’s directives are fulfilled |
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Obtain emotional and practical support for caregivers |
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Heal psychological and emotional rifts |
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Prepare spiritually and emotionally for end of life |
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