Unfortunately, one of the things patients with terminal illness experience all too often, along with their condition, is severe and/or chronic pain. One of the goals of hospice care in Ontario, California, is to minimize pain and increase comfort in patients with terminal illnesses.
While many patients can assess and talk about the pain levels they are experiencing, other patients may have difficulty expressing their pain, whether it’s because they don’t want to appear weak or their condition prevents them from doing so. Sometimes, people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may struggle to communicate their needs because of their cognitive impairment.
With this, it’s best that you look out for the signs of pain, such as:
- Rapid breathing
- They tightly close their eyes or rapidly blink
- Systolic blood pressure increases from their baseline
- They’re holding their arm or leg muscles tightly
- Fidgeting, rocking, or pacing
- Resisting care or protecting certain areas of their body when being moved
- Becomes withdrawn
- More irritable
- Gets confused easily
- Moaning, calling out, sighing, and/or asking for help often
Hospice providers offer palliative care to help manage symptoms, like chronic and/or severe pain. Is your loved one in need of palliative care at home to help them live a more optimal quality of life amidst their terminal illness?
Beacon Hospice Care is a nursing service in California that tends to the needs of patients at the end of life and their family members, so they can get the care and guidance they need during the difficult times of their lives.
Contact us today to know more.