Do not be indifferent. Help people who need palliative care

Palliative care is specialized medical care designed to relieve the symptoms and condition of patients who are suffering from a serious illness, as well as to lower stress levels. They focus on reducing and preventing patients' suffering, and the type of care depends on each patient's specific needs. They can be administered at any time during the course of the disease and its treatment. Of course, the earlier this care begins, the better the results will be for the patient.

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?

Unlike hospice care, palliative care is appropriate for all stages of illness, including patients who are being treated for treatable illnesses, patients with chronic illnesses, and patients near the end of their lives. Palliative medicine is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach that relies on assistance from a variety of specialists such as physicians, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other health professionals. Medicines and treatments are considered to have a palliative effect if they relieve or reduce symptoms without having a curative effect on the disease or its causative agent.

Palliative care and hospice have different goals and focus. Both aim to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, but differ in terms of the timing of initiation of care and the range of activities they provide.

Hospice is a specialised facility that offers stays for patients with advanced illnesses, usually in the last stages of life. The focus in hospice is on symptom control, pain management and providing comfort and support to the patient and their loved ones. Hospices usually have multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, social workers and volunteers who work together to meet the physical and emotional needs of their patients.

On the other hand, palliative care can begin at any stage of illness, including active treatment. Their goal is to relieve suffering and improve the patient's quality of life by managing symptoms, addressing emotional and psychological challenges, and providing support for family and caregivers. Palliative care can be provided in a variety of specialist settings such as hospitals, clinics and care homes.

What are the 5 stages of palliative care?

There are five main stages, and understanding these stages can help patients and their loved ones move through the process in the best way possible. We will present them in more detail and simplified form to give you as clear an understanding as possible.

Active treatment - this is the initial stage of the disease when the patient receives standard medical treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or other) to control or cure their disease. Palliative care may be included during this stage to help manage symptoms, treatment side effects, and emotional challenges.

Chronic Illness - When the illness becomes long-term and symptoms are more manageable, palliative care can become a primary focus. This may include care to manage persistent pain, fatigue and other symptoms, as well as providing emotional support and guidance to cope with daily living with a chronic illness.

Crisis - the point at which a patient's symptoms worsen, often due to disease progression or the side effects of treatment. Palliative care is critical during a crisis because it helps manage and relieve symptoms. It is important that they are carried out by professionals.

Stabilisation - after the crisis, the patient may experience a period of stabilisation when symptoms are better controlled. At this point, palliative care can focus on maintaining the patient's quality of life, managing ongoing symptoms and providing emotional support.

End stage - this is the final stage of the disease when the disease has progressed and treatment options become limited. The focus of palliative care in this stage is on symptom control, especially pain and discomfort, and providing comfort and support to the patient and their family. This is also often the time when many people choose hospice care, which provides intensive support in a specialized setting.

It is important to note that these stages do not always serve as clear-cut distinctions because the needs of individual patients can vary widely. This type of care is personalized to meet each patient's individual circumstances and preferences. This ensures that the patient receives the support they need at every stage of their illness.

How can you help someone who needs this care?

Helping someone who needs palliative care involves providing emotional, practical and physical support. Here are some actions you can take to help those in need.

Communication - make sure you are open and honest about the person's condition while remaining respectful of their feelings. Listen carefully to their concerns and fears and answer their questions honestly and sympathetically.

Physical comfort - help create a relaxed and comfortable environment for the person. This may include adjusting lighting, providing clean and comfortable bedding and pillows, and assisting with activities such as dressing, feeding, and bathing.

Emotional support - offer a reassuring presence and express love and care. Take time to listen and understand his/her emotions and concerns. Discuss life stories, express gratitude and find ways to bring joy and happiness into his life.

Social support - arrange visits from friends, family members and other supportive people. Help the person in need maintain connections to the community and religious or cultural practices that are important to him or her.

Crowdfunding - start a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the person in need of palliative care. Regardless of his or her monthly income, the extra financial support would benefit him or her and his or her family.

Tips for a successful crowdfunding campaign

You don't have to be a professional doctor or medical professional to help people who need palliative care. Starting a crowdfunding campaign is always a good solution when it comes to the financial part of the problem. It can be set up by relatives of the person in need as well as their family and friends. And here are some tips for a successful campaign.

Tip #1: Choose a crowdfunding platform

Launch a fundraising campaign on specialized platforms. Choose one that has a proven track record and has an established image among your audience. Consider the payment options available to donors as well as the platform's features.

Tip #2: Tell the story

Explain clearly and accurately the situation of the person who needs palliative care. Tell about the diagnosis, current situation, and how palliative care could improve his or her quality of life. Share with the community specific details of the costs involved and how the funds raised will be used.

Tip #3: Identify the funds needed

Determine the amount of money that is needed to cover the cost of palliative care and other related expenses. Be realistic about the amount and set a goal that is high enough to provide the financial support the person needs, but not so high as to discourage potential donors.

Tip #4: Share the campaign

Share the campaign on social media, via email, and any other channels that will help you reach a larger audience. Consider asking for help from people with opportunities or local organizations to spread your message to a wider audience.

Tip #5: Create news

Keep the community updated on the status of the person who needs palliative care, and use campaign updates to thank donors for their support. This will help build trust and encourage more donations to be collected.

Start a campaign or make a donation for someone in need of palliative care through the PavelAndreev.ORG platform

As mentioned earlier, setting up a crowdfunding campaign is done on specialized platforms. With the help of PavelAndreev.ORG you can start an online campaign and raise funds for a person in need of this care. Of course, you can also participate as a donor for an already active campaign.

If you want to start a campaign, click on the "Start a campaign" button and fill in the necessary information. Once you are done, the campaign will be reviewed by an administrator. It then becomes active.

If you would like to donate, check out the active campaigns on the platform. You can donate the funds you decide to a specific campaign or to more. The decision is entirely yours. To make it as easy as possible for donors, the platform provides different ways to donate, namely: card, ApplePay, GooglePay, Revolut, Paypal and IBAN.

You can trust PavelAndreev.ORG because the platform has a long-standing positive reputation and an established community of donors. Unlike other platforms, it doesn't charge fees on the donation, which means more money goes directly to the campaign creators. Support people in need by starting a campaign or donating funds.