5 Signs It May Be Time for Palliative Care Services for you or a loved one
Many people think of hospice care as a service for the terminally ill. While it is true that many who use hospice services are at the end of their life, many others choose to use Palliative Care Services Melbourne when they're still relatively healthy but have an illness that requires ongoing treatment or regular hospitalizations. If you or your loved one has been recently diagnosed with a serious illness and are considering palliative care services, here's what you need to know:
Declining ability to complete activities of daily living
If you or your loved one is having difficulty with activities of daily living, it may be time to consider Palliative Care Services Melbourne. Activities of daily living include bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:- You have difficulty performing these tasks on your own or they take longer than they used to
- You need assistance with these tasks because of pain or fatigue
- You have a family member or friend who helps with these activities
The symptoms of your disease are ongoing
- Pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms of advanced illness. They can be hard to manage, especially when they're severe.
- Constipation, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite may also occur as your body struggles to digest food that you no longer have an appetite for.
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) is another sign of advanced illness; this may be caused by fluid buildup in your lungs or by the weakening of muscles involved in breathing as a result of disease progression.