What Does Palliative Care Provide for the Elderly?
Pain and Symptom Management
Palliative care helps soothe distressing symptoms like pain, breathlessness, fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, and constipation; bringing comfort when it’s needed most.
It also addresses emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Emotional and Psychological Support
Serious illness can take an emotional toll. Research shows that people living with chronic disease and depression often experience more intense symptoms from both conditions.
That’s why palliative care teams often include counselors and social workers to help seniors cope with stress, grief, and depression.
Support for Decision-Making
When care decisions get complicated, palliative providers help clarify goals, whether it’s continuing treatment or shifting to comfort.
They guide advanced care planning, support choices that reflect the senior’s values, and handle documents like power of attorneys and living wills.
Spiritual and Cultural Care
Since over 70% of U.S. adults consider religion important, it’s natural that spirituality holds a meaningful place in how many people experience care.
In palliative care, aides honor each person’s beliefs and traditions by offering support through prayer, meaningful rituals, or quiet moments of reflection.
Family and Caregiver Support
Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming and can potentially lead to burnout.
That’s why palliative care also supports family members, offering help with tough decisions, connecting them to respite care services, and simply being there when things feel too heavy to carry alone.
