This is a common concern for people. Depending on your condition, you may need a little help with a few things or more help with lots of daily tasks. This is likely to change over time.
Your palliative care team will discuss practical ways you can maintain a sense of independence for as long as possible. They may suggest modifications or services to help you stay at home (such as installing handrails or a ramp). They may also recommend or loan you equipment to help conserve your energy (such as a walking frame).
For many people, maintaining control over day-to-day decisions is important – the team will respect your wishes if you don’t want to take up their suggestions. If you feel you are losing your independence, you might feel angry and fear what the future holds.
I see a palliative care person every eight weeks. Not for direct intervention but to discuss what particular things might be confronting me. It is a security to know that there is a team and individual nurses you can call upon if you need them.
Bryce
More resources
Dr Cynthia Parr, Specialist in Palliative Care, HammondCare and Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Dr Lisa Cuddeford, Clinical Lead, WA Paediatric Palliative Care Service, WA; Dr Laura Kirsten, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Care Centre, NSW; Penny Neller, Project Coordinator, National Palliative Care Projects, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; A/Prof Peter Poon, Director, Supportive and Palliative Care, Monash Health, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Monash University, VIC; Dr Kathy Pope, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Kate Reed-Cox, Nurse Practitioner National Clinical Advisor, Palliative Care Australia; Juliane Samara, Nurse Practitioner, Clare Holland House – Specialist Palliative Aged Care, Calvary Public Hospital, ACT; Annabelle Solomon, Consumer; Silvia Stickel, Consumer; Kaitlyn Thorne, Manager, PalAssist, Cancer Council Queensland; Kim Vu, Consumer; Rosie Whitford, Social Worker – Grief, Bereavement and Community Palliative Care, Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW.
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