It can feel overwhelming when you care for someone with a serious illness at home. Between managing symptoms, organising medications, and coordinating with health professionals, you might wonder if you’re doing enough.
Don’t worry, at PalAssist, we understand the challenges people face during palliative care. We connect Queensland families with experts who support families every step of the way.
In this article, we’ll cover what palliative care at home involves and how to manage common symptoms. You’ll also find out how to handle medications safely, plus the support available to help you through this situation.
Read on to learn how you can provide comfortable care for your loved one at home.
What Is Caring at Home for Palliative Patients?
Home palliative care involves professional support delivered right where the person lives. It prioritises comfort and symptom relief so the patient can stay in their own home with family and friends.
Now let’s get into more detail about how caring at home works for these patients.
Comfort and Quality of Life Are the Main Focus
Palliative care helps manage pain and symptoms at home throughout all stages, including end-of-life care. This means your loved one stays in familiar surroundings while health professionals work to ease their discomfort.
Suppose a person is struggling with pain, feeling sick after meals, or finding it hard to breathe. The care team steps in to relieve those symptoms and help them feel more comfortable (no one should face moments like that alone).
Health professionals also assist families through each phase. They take time to explain what’s happening and answer your questions, so you feel more confident caring for your dear one every day.
Home Care Works at Any Stage of Illness
Believe it or not, you can get home-based care at any stage. In fact, home care services work alongside curative treatment from your doctor. For instance, home-based patients receiving chemotherapy can have nurses visit to help manage side effects like fatigue or appetite changes.
But there’s one thing you must keep in mind. Palliative support doesn’t mean you should stop other medical treatments. A lot of people receive this care for months or years while continuing their regular doctor appointments.
Pro tip: Keep a list of emergency numbers on the fridge, so everyone in the house knows where to look.
How Do You Handle Common Symptoms at Home?
You can manage common symptoms better at home when you know what you can safely handle and what needs a nurse or doctor.
You’ll also get a clearer judgment if you understand which changes are expected during the illness and which conditions indicate the need for urgent help.
Here’s how to handle the common symptoms:
- Pain Relief: It’s important to track when symptoms start and how long they last because it helps you identify patterns. Registered nurses then help you understand which medications work best. They also adjust doses based on what you’re seeing at home.
- Breathing Difficulties: Most people breathe more comfortably when sitting up rather than lying flat. Either way, your care team assists with oxygen equipment if needed and shows you how to use it properly and when to increase the flow.
- Nausea Management: Eating small amounts throughout the day reduces nausea better than three big meals. Particularly, bland foods like toast and crackers often feel easier to eat, and your diet can change week by week as symptoms shift.
- Fatigue and Energy: Plan important activities when you typically feel most energetic each day. Short walks or gentle exercise will help you maintain strength without exhaustion, but accept that you’ll require more bed rest on some days.
Remember to trust your instincts and ask for assistance whenever something feels off.
How Do You Manage Medications Safely at Home?
The benefit of having a medication system is that you’ll avoid missed doses and prevent dangerous mix-ups. And you can manage them with medicine containers or using different alert systems.
This section will explain how to organise meds with these methods.
Medication Schedules and Organisation Systems
Use a weekly pill organiser to sort medicines by day. These plastic containers have separate compartments for morning, afternoon, evening, and night doses.
You may also set phone alarms as reminders for each medication time, especially for pain relief. These medicines work best when you stay ahead of symptoms (it might feel like a small thing, but it can really help with how you feel).
One more thing. Don’t forget to keep a written list of all current medications near the bed. This way, anyone helping with care will know exactly what’s needed and when.
Side Effects You Should Watch and Report
If you notice new effects like confusion or drowsiness, it may mean your medication doses need adjustment. Specifically, it’s worth checking with the nurse if your loved one seems more confused than usual. Some pain medicines can even cause sleepiness.
But increased nausea or constipation requires evaluation by health professionals.
These side effects are common, but some may signal changes in the prognosis, which nurses can clarify. Still, we recommend tracking body changes like appetite loss in a simple notebook to show nurses during visits (it keeps everyone on the same page).
Safe Storage and Disposal of Medicines
Store medications in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Plus, avoid keeping them in steamy bathrooms or sunny windowsills, as heat and light can make medicines less effective.
Most importantly, keep strong pain medicines locked away from children and visitors. Since this is about everyone’s safety.
Last but not least, return unused medications to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. It’s a better approach than putting them in the bin or flushing them.
What Support Is Available for Home Care?
You don’t have to manage everything alone. A whole team of health professionals works together to increase access to the care your loved one needs.
Many options are there for home care, and the most common ones include:
- Registered Nurses: They visit regularly to assess pain and adjust care plans based on what’s working. Between visits, nurses educate carers on providing daily support, showing you how to manage equipment and recognise when symptoms are getting worse.
- Allied Health Professionals: Physiotherapists teach safe exercises to improve strength and prevent falls. Meanwhile, occupational therapists assess the home and suggest resources like grab rails or shower chairs. And social workers guide families toward community services and funding support.
- Respite Care: How do you catch your breath when caring wears you down? Respite gives you a few hours to rest while a nurse stays with your loved one. Besides, when you need a longer break, a short stay in aged care gives you proper time to recharge.
- Emergency Support: Most palliative care teams have 24-hour phone support, so call their after-hours number for urgent concerns. Hospital emergency departments also remain available for life-threatening symptoms like severe breathing problems.
You do your best every day, and caring support can help you keep moving forward.
Finding Help With Home-Based Palliative Care
Palliative care sends trained support straight to your home, so you never have to carry everything by yourself. This way, a strong team stands with you, and you can lean on them whenever the days feel heavy or confusing.
If you need advice about caring at home or want to speak with someone who understands palliative care, PalAssist offers free support from registered nurses. Call 1800 725 277 between 7 am and 7 pm, seven days a week, or visit the PalAssist website to start a chat.
Disclaimer: This blog provides general health and product information for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always seek guidance from your GP, nurse, continence advisor, or pharmacist regarding your individual needs. If symptoms persist or you’re unsure about product use, consult a qualified healthcare provider.
