1. An 86-year-old man with class IV heart failure, hypertension, and mild Alzheimer's
disease from the New York Heart Association, who lives with his 84-year-old wife at
home, arrives at his primary doctor's office with reports of worsening symptoms of heart
failure, including breathlessness, severe exhaustion, weak appetite, and problems with
continence. When he is unable to catch his breath and can no longer eat the food she
prepares for him, his wife feels overwhelmed with his failing health and concerns. Is this
man a candidate for palliative care? Yes, this patient is certainly a palliative care
candidate. With pain control, physical and occupational therapy, and ultimately holistic
treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, or even music therapy, and even
breathing / relaxation strategies, the palliative care team will assist this patient (Bartoo,
2019).
2. What is palliative care and how is it different from hospice care? Palliative care is a lifethreatening disease care philosophy that helps patients and families define their care
priorities, helps them make informed choices, and encourages the control of quality
symptoms. Palliative care, unlike hospice, is provided in form of consultation visit, with
one or more follow-up visits, by a doctor, nurse practitioner, or team of healthcare
providers. In a number of hospitals and on an outpatient care basis in some communities,
palliative care consultations are given. In response to the unmet needs of terminally ill
people, the idea of hospice in the United States came about from a grassroots movement.
This holistic approach of an hospice is not to hasten or delay death, rather to offer relief
to the patient and enhance their quality of life
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