Thursday, June 4, 2020

Who Benefits from Palliative Care?


Dr. Khalid Shirif, a dedicated leader in the medical field, serves as the medical director for Sunrise Health, Anthem Hospice, and Traditions Hospice in Mesa, Arizona. In addition to his medical degree from The University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Khalid Mahmoud Shirif received board certification in general surgery, hospice, and palliative care from the American College of Surgeons.

Palliative care provides personalized medical services, support, and resources of patients who are suffering from a variety of medical conditions. It enhances the quality of life for patients by improving symptom management efforts beyond that of standard care. Furthermore, it boosts comfort and reduces stress for the patient’s family since the burden of caring for a sick loved one is shifted to the palliative care team.

Since palliative care is personalized, it is capable of helping patients regardless of their age or the illness they are dealing with. Patients with cardiac issues, like heart valve problems or heart failure, often benefit from palliative care. As do patients with ALS and other neurological issues, cancer, complex surgical issues, and medical illness that significantly impacts their quality of life.

Considering one in four adults in the United States have a chronic disease, and three in four adults over the age of 65 do, palliative care can benefit a huge range of people.