CAREGIVER • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • 9
Concordia Lutheran Ministries
140 Years of Caring for This Community
Did you know one of the largest nonprofit senior
care providers in the country is headquartered here
in the region? Since the late 1800’s, Concordia
Lutheran Ministries has been a place of caring,
comfort and healing.
Concordia offers a lifetime continuum of care that
includes adult day services, home care, hospice,
medical and rehabilitation services, memory care,
personal care, assisted living, respite care, retirement
living, skilled nursing/short-term rehab, spiritual
care and medical equipment.
Learn more about our mission, services and
opportunities at www.ConcordiaLM.org or
connect with us on social media.
@ConcordiaLM @ConcordiaLM @concordia_lm
12 locations throughout southwestern PA • 1-888-352-1571
www.ConcordiaLM.org
adno=215126
Choosing palliative care options
Modern medicine works marvels, though
some conditions remain a mystery. When
afflicted with a condition that has no cure,
individuals suffering illnesses or other ailments
may need to look for ways to feel better.
This is the basis behind palliative care.
The Mayo Clinic says palliative care is
specialized medical care that focuses on
providing relief from pain and other symptoms
of serious illnesses. Palliative care
is not exclusively end-of-life care, but it
can be. In fact, hospice care is a form of
palliative care for terminally ill people.
The American Board of Internal Medicine
Foundation offers that palliative care may
include emotional, spiritual and physical
support. In addition to pain management,
palliative care may help relieve symptoms
such as shortness of breath, anxiety, fatigue,
nausea and depression.
According to The World Health Organization,
palliative care improves the quality
of life of patients, their caregivers and their
extended families. However, only 14 percent
of the estimated 40 million people across the
globe who need palliative care currently
receive it. Those with access to care can use
these guidelines when selecting palliative
care services.
• Start with your primary care physician
to acquire the best care possible. He or she
can put you on a path to building a palliative
care team.
• Have a list of questions at the ready.
These can include asking about the criteria
for palliative services. What treatments will
you have to discontinue and what can be
continued? What to do if diagnosis/prognosis
changes? Which professionals will be on
the palliative care team?
• Decide where care will take place. Some
palliative services, such as end-of-life hospice
care, may take place in a hospice center
or in a special wing of a hospital. Other
palliative services occur at home. Specify
where you want to be cared for so that you
can choose the right program.
• Determine if you can get assistance
with advance directives. Some palliative
care teams will work with volunteers in
the legal and accounting fields to provide
peace of mind. Chronic, life-threatening or
serious illnesses may require individuals to
document their plans while they’re still of
sound mind. They also can spell out desires
and goals for treatment, in addition to establishing
a health care proxy when the future
may make decisions challenging.
• Interview and get to know potential
palliative care providers. Assess more than
an individual’s credentials. Choose people
who are compassionate and exhibit genuine
concern for your well-being.
Palliative care is an important component
of feeling well for as long as possible. It takes
research and knowing what you want from
care to find the best options.
METRO CREATIVE
METRO CREATIVE
According to The World Health
Organization, palliative care improves
the quality of life of patients, their
caregivers and their extended families.
However, only 14 percent of the
estimated 40 million people across
the globe who need palliative care
currently receive it.