Palliative care
Palliative care is the care of people with incurable illnesses in the final stages of life. Providing peace of mind and comfort is what caregivers here are mainly about. The pharmacy fulfills a crucial role: 24/7 local availability of medication, which is of course very important.
Intensive and emotional
For the patient himself, the palliative phase is intensive, the same is true for the family caregiver. Not only does this period require intensive care, extreme care, it is also, of course, an emotional phase. The doctor, pharmacist and home care frequently consult about, for example, the use of analgesic medication. This can be via tablets, or patches but also via a pump. The pharmacist also consults with the family caregiver.
.
What is pharmacy striving for?
The pharmacy's main goal is to ensure that local pharmaceutical care is readily available, when needed. This has value, especially for this group of patients. Our pharmacies guarantee 24/7 availability of medication.
Medications commonly used
Medications commonly used in palliative care are midazolam and opioids. Midazolam has a sleep-inducing effect. It makes the patient calmer, less anxious and relaxes muscles.
Opioids are strong painkillers. We also know them as morphine-like drugs. Think oxycodone, fentanyl and methadone.
Misconception
It is a misconception that palliative care is synonymous with terminal care. Palliative care can be long-term care, sometimes for years. Especially in the case of chronic conditions such as COPD, heart failure, and some oncological and neurological conditions, for example. Contrary to popular belief, palliative care covers many more conditions than just cancer.
Sources and links
Organizations in palliative care
Related articles
Also read
