This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on palliative care. Vianca Masucci, health advocate at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, spoke on this topic.
VM: Good morning, Ms. Bush. We’re lucky to start the day off by talking about another important topic—palliative care. Palliative care is a medical specialty that has been picking up steam within the last 15 years. To sum it up, it’s a type of care for those with serious illness that helps relieve suffering, whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual.
EB: This is a vital branch of medicine. I know from taking care of sick relatives how stressful managing severe sickness can be. When someone is sick, there are many things to worry about—family, money, following the doctor’s orders, pain…the list sometimes seems endless. Each person’s illness and family dynamics are different. Sometimes it feels as if you need a team of professionals to help with all the concerns that arise. That’s exactly what palliative care looks like in many cases: A team of health professionals helping someone with severe sickness feel better. The best part is that this team provides support for the families of the sick individuals as well. That is very important because managing sickness is often a family experience. These family members are considered caregivers.
VM: Absolutely, Ms. Bush. I think that as this field continues to grow, more individuals and families will see the benefits and seek these services. Currently, people don’t know or are confused about what palliative care is. Some folks think palliative care is like hospice care or that it is meant to replace curative treatments. That is untrue. Palliative care is for anyone at any stage of a serious illness, whether it be curable, chronic or life-threatening. A palliative care health team works alongside the doctors who treat the illness. Palliative care doesn’t replace health care. Seeking palliative care does not mean giving up curative—or healing—treatments. In fact, some research suggests that palliative care can improve health outcomes.
EB: I’m happy that you mentioned that it’s for anyone because I know that there are many people who suffer in silence. They get sick, or their loved one gets sick, and when things start to get bad, they just accept it as part of the sickness. Many of us are accustomed to pushing through hardship. But you don’t need to suffer when there is help. If you or your loved one is battling serious illness, ask your doctor about palliative care options. You can even bring a copy of this article with you to start the conversation.
VM: That’s a great idea, Ms. Bush. Thank you for sharing your always amazing insight. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on next month’s topic, which is depression. Much like this month’s topic, there’s a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the issue that keeps folks from seeking help. If people have questions or would like more information, e-mail us at partners@hs.pitt.edu.
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