Supportive Care
What is Supportive Care?
Supportive care is specialized care focusing on reducing the symptoms and side effects of serious illnesses and treatments. It is designed to enhance a patient's quality of life and provide emotional and spiritual support to them and their family throughout the entire illness journey. It is often provided in a home setting, outside of a hospital setting, and provided by clinicians, such as a physician, nurses, therapists and other health care professionals.
Benefits of Supportive Care
There are many benefits to receiving supportive care. These include:
- Reduced symptoms and improved quality of life
- Decreased stress for both the patient and their family
- Improved communication about treatment options
- Helps to manage pain and other symptoms more effectively
- Provides emotional support and a sense of comfort to the patient and their family
Examples of Supportive Care
The type of supportive care provided will depend on the individual’s needs. Examples of supportive care include:
- Pain management and controlling symptoms like nausea and vomiting
- Nutrition counseling and meal planning
- Physical therapy and exercise
- Help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, grooming, and bathing
- Bereavement counseling
- Spiritual support
How Supportive Care Impacts Patients and their families
Supportive care can have a profound impact on patients and their families. It can provide relief from symptoms and alleviate stress, while also providing resources to those in need. Additionally, supportive care can provide a much needed sense of hope and security during a difficult time. As a result, supportive care often plays a critical role in the overall treatment plan and can help to significantly improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.