Advanced diseases and illnesses can create daily challenges for you and your aging parent. They’ll eventually require professional senior care services, and palliative or end-of-life care may be the most appropriate. Understanding each will ensure you choose the right option for your loved one. Here’s a helpful guide to get you started.

Palliative Care

Conditions like AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney disease introduce countless debilitating side effects. They may also require 24/7 care, and when cases are not yet life-threatening, professionals recommend palliative care. Senior care staff will ease troubling symptoms your parent is living with, such as nerve pain or shortness of breath.

It’s sometimes called “supportive care” because it helps seniors maintain a high quality of life until their progressive illness changes from life-limiting to life-threatening. Professionals will handle bathing, grooming, and other tasks and monitor your loved one’s progress to optimize their treatment. Children of senior loved ones find palliative care alleviates the physical and emotional burdens they deal with so that they can spend quality time with their parent.

End-of-Life Care

End-of-life care provides services that are similar to palliative care, though it's for patients with only a few months left. Generally, a prognosis of six months or less to live is required.

Senior care professionals focus solely on your parent’s comfort since the terminal illness is untreatable. This means managing physical side effects like muscle pain and providing emotional support. Health care staff is often accompanied by mental health professionals, physical therapists, and religious leaders to provide comprehensive care.

Agencies may also connect you with grief counseling or a lawyer to handle wills, trusts, or estate needs. You can explore care at home or a skilled nursing facility, depending on what you and your loved one prefer.

If you’re looking for senior care services for your aging parent, contact Visiting Angels Toms River. Serving Ocean County, NJ, these compassionate caregivers provide a broad scope of care, from general companionship and meal prep to advanced Alzheimer’s and palliative care. They’ll take all the necessary steps to keep your loved one comfortable. Call (732) 240-1050 to schedule a consultation, or visit their website to learn more about their services.