Life is unpredictable; life is fickle, and just when everything is going fine, imagine yourself hanging by a thread? and holding on to that thread is negotiating with life and hope. Snehanchal is that thread which holds your near and dear ones when life and hope seems to wither away. The palliative care they provide to the terminally ill cancer patients is beyond commendable.
A chronic illness or a life threatening health condition presents an array of difficult questions and challenges. Palliative care is like a silver lining in the otherwise dark clouds which enshrouds a patient during this struggle. Apart from providing patients with a 24-bedded hospice and palliative care, Snehanchal, in co-operation with the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Regional Cancer Hospital, Nagpur, also provides them with medicines and food. Snehanchal is the first palliative care centre in central India.
What is the goal of Snehanchal? The primary goal of Snehaanchal is to help people with serious illnesses feel better. It prevents or treats symptoms and side effects of disease and the treatment. Snehanchal with its palliative care also provides emotional, social, practical and spiritual problems that illnesses can bring up. When the patients feel better in these aspects, they have an improved quality of life. Since, Snehanchal provides both hospice and palliative care; it is the biggest boon for the patients and their families. Palliative care can begin at diagnosis and at the same time as treatment. Hospice care begins after the treatment of the disease is stopped and when it is clear that the person is not going to survive the illness. Hospice care is most often offered only when the person is expected to live 6 months or less.
How does Snehanchal help?
The team of highly competent doctors, nurses, counsellors and volunteers work tirelessly to provide the best treatment and services to the patients at Snehanchal. A serious illness affects more than just the body; it touches all areas of a patient’s life as well as the lives of his family members. Snehanchal, with its palliative care addresses all these aspects of a patient’s life. Physical Problems: During the illness, apart from other physical challenges, pain, trouble in sleeping, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, etc. is something that a patient goes through every day of his life. While the treatment in the form of medicine, nutritional guidance, occupational therapy and integrative therapies form an important part of his wellness journey, there’s more than just this that the patient needs on his way to recovery
Emotional, social, and coping-up problems: Patients and their families undergo extreme stress during illness that can lead to fear, anxiety, lack of hope and sometimes depression. And that is exactly where facilities like Snehanchal with their hospice and palliative care help the patients tremendously. They provide services like counselling, support groups, hold family meetings and provide referrals to other health providers which can be beneficial for patients and their families.
Practical Problems: Some of the problems brought on by illnesses are practical, such as, money, or job-related issues, insurance questions and many more. A palliative care team may explain complex medical forms and help families understand treatment choices. They may also help the families connect with some financial counselors if need be. And lastly,
Spiritual Issues:
When people face grave challenges in the form of chronic illnesses in life, they may look for reasons and meaning or question their faith. Snehanchal and their palliative care team may help patients and their families explore their beliefs and values so that they can move towards acceptance and peace.
