Page 2 - Palliative Care
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Palliative care


              All about living well




        When death is near                                        What you can do


        Many people prefer to be cared for in their own           1.   Be an active participant in your care. Ask
        homes even when their disease is advanced and                 questions. Learn about your cancer. Being well
        death is near. Home care support and palliative care          informed helps relieve fear, gives you control,
        services may help to make this possible.                      and helps you seek out what is best for you.

        In some situations, a person’s needs cannot be met at     2.   Don’t isolate yourself. Don’t withdraw from people
        home.                                                         who care about you. Your needs are not just
                                                                      medical, but are emotional, spiritual, social and
        Hospices and palliative care units have been                   financial. Reach out for help. Talk to those who
        established as sanctuaries sensitive to the specific          can help you.
        needs of individuals nearing the end of life. These are
        facilities, often outside of the hospital setting, in which   3.   Have high expectations for your care. If you have
        professional help is available to provide continuous          a troublesome symptom, tell your doctor. Most
        care. The emphasis is on pain and symptom                     symptoms can be controlled. Symptoms like pain,
        management and providing support of the patient               nausea, constipation, bladder problems,
        and family. It is about living as well as possible. Patients       sleeplessness, anxiety, itch, and others are
        may be admitted temporarily for symptom control, or           treatable.
        to stay, if necessary. The cost of most of these services
        is covered by your provincial Medicare plan.              4.   Ask about non-drug therapies that might help, like:
                                                                      relaxation or meditation, imagery, music therapy,
                                                                      massage therapy, distraction, heat, cold or
                                                                      vibration therapy, acupuncture, TENS
                                                                      (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation).
                                                                  Even when cure is unlikely, much can be done to
                                                                  help you live well as long as you live. Be informed,
                                                                  ask questions, seek the help you need. Have high
                                                                  expectations for your care and your care team will
                                                                  do their best to meet them.













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        The information in the publication is not intended to convey medical advice or to substitute for direct consultation with a qualified medical
        practitioner. The Canadian Urological Association disclaims all liability and legal responsibility howsoever caused, including negligence, for the
        information contained in or referenced by this brochure.                                   cua.org            7E-PALE-01-07
        © 2014. Canadian Urological Association. All rights reserved.
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