A J Hospital launches ‘A J Home Health’ -Elderly Care & Palliative Care Services

A J Hospital launches ‘A J Home Health’ – Elderly Care & Palliative Care Services

Mangaluru: Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.

Palliative care teams specialize in treating people suffering from the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses such as cancer, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and many more. This type of care treats pain, depression, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and any other symptoms that may be causing distress. The team will help patients gain the strength to carry on with daily life. In short, palliative care will help improve your quality of life.

The palliative care team will also spend time talking to you and listening. They will make sure you understand all of your treatment options and choices. By deeply exploring your personal goals, the palliative care team will help you match those goals and options. They will also make sure that all of your doctors are coordinated and know and understand what you want. This gives you more control over your care.

Elderly Care is the fulfillment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to senior citizens. This broad term encompasses such services as assisted living, adult day care, long-term care, nursing homes (often referred to as residential care), hospice care, and home care. Because of the wide variety of elderly care found nationally, as well as differentiating cultural perspectives on elderly citizens, cannot be limited to any one practice. Elderly care emphasizes the social and personal requirements of senior citizens who need some assistance with daily activities and health care, but who desire to age with dignity. It is an important distinction, in that the design of housing, services, activities, employee training and such should be truly customer-centered. It is also noteworthy that a large amount of global elderly care falls under the unpaid market sector.

Palliative Care and Elderly Care are now being provided by AJ Hospital. A J Hospital & Research Centre since its inception in 2001 has been upgrading and improving its services by adding newer modalities to achieve its goal of providing world-class quality health care in Mangaluru. A.J.Home Health is a new service to reach out to people by providing trained medical and nursing care through home visits. This service is ideally suited for frail and bedridden people who need constant medical attention.

A.J. Home Health was inaugurated on 19 June by Nalin Kumar Kateel, Member of Parliament, Dakshina Kannada Constituency and Rev. Fr. Prakash D’ Cunha, Director, Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte, Mangaluru. Dr. A.J. Shetty, Chairman, A J Group of Institutions and Dr.Amitha P. Marla, Director Administration, A J Hospital, Doctors and staff were present. After a brief introduction of the Home Health by Dr Naveen Rudolf- Consultant Palliative Care, AJHRC, the welcome address was delivered by Dr. Prashanth Marla, Medical Director, AJHRC.

Complimenting AJ Hospital for launching these two services to the elderly persons, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, ” With the experienced and specialized Palliative care teams of AJ Hospital who will work together with you, your family and your other doctors, they will provide an extra layer of support when you need it most. In addition to treating your symptoms, the palliative care team will spend as much time as necessary communicating with both you and your family. They support you every step of the way. Palliative Care is an approach which improves patient comfort thus improving the quality of life of not only patients but also their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness. I wish the teams who are at the helm of these two services all success in their work, taking care of the seniors”.

Fr Prakash D’cunha addressing the gathering said, “Palliative Care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process; Intends neither to hasten or postpone death but definitely adds life to years if not years to life; Offers a support system to Help the family cope during patients illness and in their own bereavement; and Will enhance quality of life and may positively influence the course of illness. This is indeed a good initiative taken by AJ Hospital to care for the elders and those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other ailments”.

On this occasion, various awards and accolades received by the hospital over the last few months were handed over: Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality Trophy 2016 – 1st Hospital in Karnataka; NABH – Emergency Care – 2nd Hospital in Karnataka; NABH – Nursing Excellence – 5th Hospital in Karnataka; NABH – Blood Bank – 6th Hospital in Karnataka; and NABL – Clinical Laboratory. Mr. Laxmish Rai, Chief Operating Officer and HR Head, A J Hospital delivered the vote of thanks.

So, If you or a loved one is facing a serious illness, you may benefit from palliative care. You can have palliative care at any point in your illness. Speak to your doctor, and ask for it.

For more details contact the AJ Hospital at: 0824-222-5533, and for appointments call: 7795473777 or Email: homehealth@ajhospital.in