Pain,
symptoms, suffering. These are common fears for people with terminal illness,
as well as their families. And these are legitimate concerns. Advanced disease
affects all parts of the body often causing pain but a host of other symptoms
from difficulty breathing, swelling, loss of function, confusion and I could go
on. One of the bigger issues caused by all of these is suffering. Surprisingly,
not everyone who experiences these symptoms feels a sense of suffering. But
that’s a different for a different day.
Suffering can take many forms, perhaps directly related
to the illness of symptom, but also from fear, distress, and spiritual concerns
as well. These forms of suffering can’t always be treated with medications. So,
how do we manage these issues when medications don’t work? This is when we turn
to non-pharmacological interventions.
Non-pharmacological is just a big word that refers to
interventions other than medications. And a lot of options exist in this
category. Hospice and palliative care take a holistic approach, addressing
mind, body, and spirit. Our interventions address all these aspects as
well.
Non-pharmacological interventions through Faith &
Hope include (among other options)
Guided Imagery
Mindfulness Meditation
Prayer & Spiritual Interventions
Distraction Techniques
Journaling
Coloring
Massage & Comfort Touch
Acupuncture & Acupressure
Yoga Nidra
Reiki / Energy Work
Aromatherapy
Heating pad
Ice pack
Some of these can be used to directly manage physical
symptoms. Acupuncture and meditation, for example, are great at managing pain.
Guided imagery can help with breathing and sleep. Massage and comfort touch and
help with selling and anxiety. Even swearing can be an effective option. (Read
more about that here.) The
Faith & Hope team will assess the individual’s needs and offer what best
suited for each person.
Like medications, non-pharmacological interventions don’t
work for every person and the duration of the intervention will vary based on
the symptoms being addressed. Unlike their medical counterparts,
non-pharmacological interventions have much less chance for negative side
effects. The risk for side effects is still present though. Acupuncture has a
risk of infection at the puncture site. Some may have mild allergic reactions
to herbal remedies, especially if they have seasonal allergies. Patients with damage
to the liver or kidney cannot efficiently filter the blood. This can be
dangerous as medications and the byproducts of supplements can build up in the
system. These side effects are uncommon and usually mild, but it’s good to be
aware of them.
Again, taking the holistic approach, other
non-pharmacological interventions can be used to address psychological,
emotional, and/or spiritual suffering. For cases like these, our team might
utilize talk therapy, journaling, and even coloring. In fact, the use of adult
coloring books can be surprisingly effective.
In all, Faith & Hope Hospice and Palliative Care makes
use of all the resources available to us. Our doctors are skilled at using
medications to address pain and symptoms, but we are not limited to
medications. Faith and Hope has made it a priority to incorporate all the
resources to address suffering al all sorts. Providing hospice care in Los
Angeles and the surrounding areas gives us a lot of resources thanks to the
diversity of cultures and people in Southern California.
If you have questions about non-pharmacological
interventions or how we can support you or your loved one, just call us at
818-559-1460 or email to info@faithandhopehospice.com
Get In Touch With One Of Our Knowledgeable Advisors
We are ready to help you or a loved one during the end of life process by creating a fully customized care plan.