WeAreHD.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Huntington's Disease

Palliative Care and HD

May 5th, 2009 by Stephen Doogan

What is Palliative Care?

A comprehensive approach to treating serious illness that focuses on the physical, psychological and spiritual, and existential needs of the patient. Its goal is to achieve the best quality of life available to the patient by relieving suffering and controlling pain and symptoms.

(Source - http://www.caringinfo.org/Resources/Glossary.htm)

Palliative Care and HD

Palliative care in Huntington's Disease begins when a diagnosis of HD is first considered. Because a patient's ability to communicate diminishes over the course of the disease, it is at the beginning that the need for information about HD is the greatest. The future can be discussed and plans made for later in the course of the illness when the need for palliative care intensifies. A palliative care health worker can then coordinate care according to the patient's preferences, and stand ready to handle problems before crises arise. A team of clinicians can work to improve care and quality of life, emphasizing continuity of care, communication, symptom management, crisis prevention and early crisis management. Early introduction of palliative care, a seamless provision of services of gradually increasing intensity, is imperative.

(http://www.mywhatever.com/cifwriter/content/41/pe5670.html)