In the world of healthcare, palliative care is a specialised form of medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness. This treatment’s ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for patients in the final stages of their lives. It is tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals facing life-limiting illnesses, recognising that every patient is an individual with specific preferences, beliefs, and values.
In private nursing homes, palliative care takes on a profound significance as the focus is not on curing diseases but on enhancing the overall well-being of patients in their last days. Keep reading to explore the vital role that nursing homes play when it comes to end-of-life care, exploring the comprehensive support and assistance they provide to patients and their families.
1. Holistic Care Approach
Nursing homes understand that palliative care goes beyond treating physical ailments, it also addresses the emotional, spiritual, and social needs of the patient. This holistic care approach focuses on personalised care plans that consider the individual’s preferences and values, fostering an environment where patients find solace, knowing that their identities and choices are respected.
Orange Valley provides essential care support in this aspect, catering to elderly individuals requiring general, palliative, and higher acuity disability care. Through our clinical care transition, we facilitate telehealth consultations, minimising acute readmissions and emergency department visits. Our OLIVE (Optimal, Living, Individualised, Value, Empathy) Programme embodies this wholesome approach, ensuring optimal, living, individualised, value-driven and empathetic care.
2. Pain and Symptom Management
One of the foundations of palliative care in nursing homes is effective pain and symptom management. Highly skilled healthcare experts work meticulously to address the physical discomfort experienced by patients, allowing them to live their remaining days with dignity and minimal suffering. By employing a combination of medical expertise and compassionate care, nursing homes ensure that patients are as comfortable as possible, enriching their quality of life.
Our OLIVE Programme concept at Orange Valley makes sure professional palliative care, both in-person and online, guarantees that residents receive the prompt and comprehensive medical attention they require.
3. Emotional and Psychological Support
Facing a life-limiting illness can evoke a myriad of emotions, not just for the patient but also for their families. Palliative care in nursing homes understands this emotional turmoil and provides a safe space where patients can express their fears and concerns. Access to counsellors, therapists, and support groups empowers patients and their loved ones to navigate the complex emotions associated with end-of-life care, aiding not only in emotional healing but also strengthening the bond between patients and their loved ones.
Orange Valley’s palliative care initiatives include pastoral and prayer activities, acknowledging the spiritual needs of residents. These activities provide comfort as well as create a serene environment for patients and their families.
4. Communication and Decision-Making
Transparent and empathetic communication is crucial when it comes to palliative care in nursing homes. Open dialogues are facilitated, allowing individuals to express their goals, preferences, and concerns openly. This ensures that patients and their families are active participants in decisions regarding their long-term care, bringing about a sense of control and empowerment.
Orange Valley’s End-of-Life Education Consortium (ELNEC) course equips our nurses with the knowledge and skills needed for this sensitive communication. Through this course, our team offers both medical care and facilitates a compassionate and respectful atmosphere where residents can express their wishes and concerns freely.
Palliative care at Orange Valley represents a compassionate and dignified approach to the final stages of life. The emphasis on individualised, respectful, and empathetic support ensures that every resident’s final moments are marked by dignity and understanding, creating a lasting impact not just on the residents themselves, but also on their families and communities. If you would like to know more about our OLIVE Programme Initiative, contact us and we would be more than happy to share with you the impact we are making in the lives of residents and their families.