According to the Indian Association of Palliative Care, nearly 7 million people in India need palliative care every year. That's a gap we need to close, especially in a culturally sensitive and family-centric city like Kolkata.
palliative care at home in Kolkata is an approach to medical care for people suffering from serious health conditions. It focuses on making them feel comfortable, managing pain, and supporting their emotional well-being. Many families in Kolkata prefer to receive this kind of care at home, where the surroundings are familiar and comforting.
Why Palliative Care and Supportive Care is Needed
Approximately 80% of these patients with cancer are diagnosed in advanced stage and more than 1 million cancer patients are estimated to be suffering from
moderate to severe pain every year
Experts estimate that 80% of people dying from cancer and 50–80 % of people dying from AIDS will need relief from moderate to severe pain during the course of their illness on average for 90 days. All these patients also require palliative care. Palliative care improves the quality of life of people. If cure is possible, palliative care provides essential care to provide pain relief, control symptoms, and minimize
Suffering.
- Better Quality of Life: It’s not just about surviving. It's about living well. Palliative care manages symptoms and taking care of such as pain, fatigue, nausea, and breathlessness.
- Emotional Support: Serious illnesses trouble patients with mental health. Palliative professionals offer counseling for both patients and caregivers.
- Decision Support: Families often struggle with tough medical decisions. Avantes Palliative care teams guide you through choices aligned with the patient’s values
- Coordination of Care: Connects specialists, nurses, and therapists so that everyone comes under the same roof. Especially vital for palliative care at home.
palliative care enhances their overall well-being and supports them through their medical journey, making it a holistic and compassionate addition to traditional medical care.
The Role of the Palliative Care and Supportive Care Team
Physicians:
Physicians in palliative care play a big role for diagnosing and managing complex medical conditions. It includes symptom control for pain, nausea, fatigue and other distressing symptoms. They are experts in the care planning process and coordinate with specialists to ensure treatment goals. Physicians also guide families in making informed medical decisions, especially during advanced stages of illness.
Nurses:
Palliative care nurses are the pillars. They do a lot of work like managing symptoms, coordinating care, educating patients and families, and providing emotional support. They also monitor patients' conditions, administer medications, and collaborate with other team members to ensure holistic care.
Community Health Workers:
Community health workers play a crucial role. They are the bridge between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. They helps empowering patients and caregivers to take charge of their health, facilitating access to healthcare services
Future Trends in Palliative and Supportive Care
The future of palliative and supportive care focuses on early integration across all healthcare settings,
- increased use of home-based and community care
- the expansion of telehealth services.
- Personalized care plans, mental health support, and culturally sensitive approaches will become more common.
There is also a growing emphasis on training healthcare providers in palliative care principles and ensuring ethical, patient-centered decision-making. These trends aim to enhance access, quality, and compassion in the care of patients with serious illnesses.
How Avante helps support palliative care at home
Home-Based Nursing Services:
Avante provides skilled nurses trained in palliative care to deliver pain and symptom management directly in the patient care services at home in Kolkata.
24/7 On-Call Support:
Patients and families have access to round-the-clock clinical advice and support for urgent needs or symptom changes.
Personalized Care Plans:
Avante tailors care plans based on the patient’s medical condition, personal goals, and comfort preferences.
Emotional and Psychosocial Support:
Avante’s team offers counseling and emotional support to patients and caregivers to ease stress and anxiety.
Family Education and Training:
Caregivers receive guidance on how to manage symptoms, use medical equipment, and provide daily support.