Palliative care and MS
We believe high quality, person-centred palliative care should be made available to people with MS whenever it’s needed, rather than being confined to the last stages of life.
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What is palliative care?
Palliative care is about getting the best quality of life for people in the advanced stage of MS. Palliative care isn't only to help someone who hasn’t long to live. It can be used by people who aren’t close to death at all.
Palliative care can help manage pain or symptoms that are hard to deal with. It’s also about helping someone enjoy life as best as they can and making them as comfortable as possible.
It could include advice and support for unpaid carers. For example, training in how to manage treatments and planning for the future.
You might get palliative care at home, in a hospital, hospice or residential care home.
Who's involved in palliative care?
Palliative care can involve lots of care professionals including:
- your GP
- MS nurse or district nurse
- occupational therapist
- physiotherapist
- palliative care nurse or consultant
- social worker.
A healthcare or social care professional can refer you to palliative care services.
Useful resources:
Helpful organisations:
- Dying Matters Coalition
- The Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance
- Hospice UK
- Cicely Saunders Foundation (Founder of hospice movement)