Maryland's Health Matters - Charles Regional - Spring 2017 - 9

Comfort
for Patients
and Families
Palliative care treats
the whole person
to ease stress and
symptoms
Last fall, UM Charles Regional
Medical Center introduced
a palliative care team to work
with people of all ages who
are at any stage of a serious
illness. The team is made up of
a physician assistant, a social
worker and a chaplain.
"When the body gets sick,
it also affects the mind as well
as a person's social, financial
and spiritual life," says palliative care physician assistant
Deborah Araya. "That's why
we use a team approach to
treat the whole person." The
palliative care team answers
some common questions about
palliative care.

UM CRMC's Palliative Care Steering Committee provides support that helps
guide the way for palliative care at UM CRMC.

IS PALLIATIVE
CARE THE
SAME THING
AS HOSPICE
CARE?

WHO IS A
CANDIDATE?
Your doctor or nurse

HOW DO
FAMILIES
BENEFIT?

can help you decide if

With the practical

you or a family member

support of the pallia-

No. Hospice services are

is a candidate for pal-

tive care team, "there's

for people with a life

liative care. "If someone

a peace of mind for the

expectancy of six months

answers yes to two or

family," says chaplain

or less. "Palliative care

more of the four initial

Joan Crittenden. "The

can begin right when

screening questions

team is here to answer

patients learn they have

(below), they are appro-

questions or pray or find

a serious or life-threaten-

priate for us to evaluate,"

avenues for care after

ing illness," Araya says.

says Kristin Williams, a

hospital discharge."

"It doesn't mean
you've given up on

Learn more about making
your wishes known for
future medical decisions.
The Maryland Medical Orders
for Life-Sustaining Treatment
(MOLST) form is available
at marylandmolst.org.

Palliative care also

UM CRMC.

helps people talk with

treatment," Araya says.

Does the patient:

their families about their

For example, you could

■ Have uncontrolled
symptoms such as
shortness of breath,
nausea, vomiting
or pain?

goals for care and their

have cancer and be
getting chemotherapy
or radiation. "We support

PLAN AHEAD

social worker for

people through treatment
by managing symptoms
and giving them the
psychosocial and spiritual
support they need."

■ Need help making
complex decisions
or determining goals
of care?
■ Have a chronic
disease like cancer
or dementia?

desires for the end of
life. "If we can have that
conversation right at
the start of the illness,"
Araya says, "then years
down the road the family
doesn't have to make
those decisions." 

■ Come from a longterm care or skilled
nursing facility?
charlesregional.org | Spring 2017  9
http://www.marylandmolst.org http://www.charlesregional.org
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