Palliative Care Center

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a specialized medical approach focused on improving the quality of life for people with serious, life‑threatening illnesses and their families. Its primary goal is to identify from the very beginning the physical challenges—such as pain—as well as the psychological, social, and spiritual distress caused by the disease, and to reduce or completely eliminate these issues using effective methods.

You can think of palliative care as an "extra layer of support" added to your current treatments. It can be provided alongside curative treatments. The aim is to alleviate suffering, promote comfort, and enhance the patient's quality of life.

Care focuses not only on the patient's physical complaints but also on emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Thus, it offers holistic support and does not leave the family alone during this process.

Who Is Palliative Care For?

Palliative care is not limited to a specific age group or only to certain diseases. People of all ages who are struggling with a serious and life‑threatening illness can benefit from this support. It does not matter what stage the disease is in; it can begin from the early diagnosis and continue throughout the process. So, in which diseases is palliative care applied?

Cancer
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Advanced diabetes
Cystic fibrosis
Lung diseases (COPD, etc.)
Heart diseases (heart failure, etc.)
Neurological diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, etc.)

In addition, conditions that require long‑term care, such as post‑major‑surgery care or bed‑dependency, also fall within the scope of palliative care. Whether care is needed is determined by the disease and the degree of difficulties the person is experiencing. For example, it can greatly benefit patients with severe pain, difficulty in feeding, frequent falls, or those who have become bedridden.

What Does Our Palliative Care Services Include?

Palliative care offers a broad range of services tailored to the needs of the patient and family. These services are provided in a coordinated manner by a specialist team. Answers to the question "What is done in palliative care?" include:

Symptom Control: Helps relieve symptoms caused by the disease or its treatments. These include pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and sleep problems.
Nutritional Support: It is important for the patient to receive adequate and balanced nutrition. Dietitians create personalized nutrition plans. If necessary, nutritional support (e.g., special formulas, tube feeding) is provided.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Depending on the patient's condition, physiotherapists can design exercise programs. The goal is to maintain mobility and support muscle strength.
Patient and Family Education: The patient and family members are informed about the course of the disease, treatment options, and the care process.
Psychological Support: Life‑threatening diseases can place a great emotional burden on patients and their families. The unit helps them cope with issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
Spiritual Support: The patient's and family's beliefs, values, and spiritual needs are taken into consideration. Spiritual counselors or religious officials may provide support in this process. Respect for the individual's cultural values is essential.
End‑of‑Life Care: When necessary, special care and support are offered to patients in the final stages of life. Families are helped to accept the process and prepare for bereavement.
All care and treatment processes are carried out with a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together professionals from various specialties.

How Long Does Palliative Care Last?

The duration of palliative care varies depending on the patient's individual needs, the course of the disease, and overall health. It should be remembered that care is not limited to the final days or weeks of life.

Care can begin even in the early stages after a serious diagnosis. Moreover, it can continue for weeks, months, or even years. The focus is on the patient's current needs rather than the progression of the disease. Therefore, care plans are flexible and are updated as the patient's condition changes.

How Is Palliative Care Provided?

The palliative care process consists of carefully planned steps that place the patient and family at the center:

Referral and Admission: Usually, the physician following the patient identifies the need for palliative care and makes the referral. However, patients or their families can also directly contact the palliative care team for information or to request an evaluation.
Initial Assessment: The palliative care team (doctor, nurse, and other specialists) holds a comprehensive meeting with the patient and family. In this meeting, the patient's medical status, symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, etc.), concerns, social situation, and more are evaluated in detail.
Personalized Care Plan: Based on the assessment, a specific care plan is created for each patient. The plan targets the patient's priority needs (e.g., pain relief, nutritional support, psychological support) and is arranged to be compatible with other ongoing treatments.
Ongoing Care and Communication: The team implements the care according to the plan, regularly reassesses the patient's condition, and updates the plan as needs change.

Home Palliative Care Services

Palliative care can also be provided at home, not only in the hospital. Many patients prefer to stay in the comfort of their own homes even while fighting a serious illness. Home care offers many advantages: being in a familiar and comfortable environment reduces stress, lowers the risk of infection, and allows more time with family members. Home palliative care services include:

Pain and symptom management
Nursing care (wound dressing, injections, etc.)
Assistance with personal care needs (bathing, etc.)
Monitoring and management of medication use
Psychological support and counseling
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Nutritional planning and support

These services are planned according to the doctor's instructions and are delivered in a coordinated manner by a professional home care team (doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, care support staff, etc.). As Biruni University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Palliative Care Center, we offer comprehensive solutions together with Home Health and Care Services. For detailed information, you can contact us by calling 444 8 276.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Palliative Care Center?

A palliative care center is a specialized unit for patients with serious illnesses who need special care. It is usually a separate department within hospitals. They exist in both public hospitals under the Ministry of Health and private healthcare institutions.

Is a companion allowed in palliative care?

Yes, palliative care units generally allow a companion to stay with the patient. Whether a companion can stay and how many people can stay is decided by the patient's doctor. It is usually limited to one person.

Can patients be discharged from palliative care?

Yes, patients admitted to a palliative care center can be discharged when their condition is appropriate. The decision for discharge is made when acute problems (e.g., severe pain, uncontrolled nausea, infection, etc.) are controlled or resolved. If the patient's condition becomes suitable for home care or a less intensive care environment (e.g., a nursing home), discharge may be possible.

How long do palliative care patients live?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by both patients and their relatives, but it is also one of the hardest to answer. How long a patient will live depends on the type and stage of the disease, the patient's general health, age, and response to treatment. Therefore, it is impossible to give a definite timeline. Each patient's situation is unique.

What are the differences between palliative care and intensive care?

Intensive care focuses on saving lives in acute and serious health emergencies, while palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life and ensuring comfort for patients living with long‑term and serious illnesses.