The second Saturday in October marks World Palliative Care Day, a key date to highlight the importance of providing comprehensive care to people facing serious or terminal illnesses.

They focus on pain and symptom management, promoting dignity and well-being in the process, while offering emotional, social and spiritual support. This day aims to raise awareness about the need for services that alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life of both patients and their families.

Which diseases require the most palliative care:

• cardiovascular diseases (38.5%)
• cancer (34%)
• chronic respiratory conditions (10.3%)
• HIV/AIDS (5.7%)
• diabetes (4.6%)

50% of terminally ill patients around the world never receive it and 75% die with emotional pain.

Although the World Health Organization has declared palliative care to be an essential right for all people, it is estimated that millions of people in the world, especially in developing countries, do not receive this type of care.

Palliative care therapy encompasses a broad set of treatments that include:

• Pain control: Pain relief and patient well-being are ensured through the administration of appropriate medications and the application of non-pharmacological techniques, such as relaxation or physical therapy.
• Psychological and emotional care: Support, active listening, and fostering an environment of trust are key to helping patients cope with the emotional impact of their illness and mitigate fear, anxiety, and depression. Palliative care teams know that pain affects life quality and takes away energy or motivation to continue doing the things you like. Therefore, they help patients to set goals for the future in order to lead a meaningful life while receiving treatment.
• Symptom management: Physical symptoms, such as lack of appetite, constipation, insomnia, or fatigue, are assessed and controlled through the administration of medications, the implementation of complementary therapies, and comprehensive care.
• Prevention of complications: Care is provided for the management of pressure ulcers, infections, respiratory problems and other problems arising from the disease. Through mobilization techniques, skin care and constant monitoring, physical comfort is ensured. The patient is also helped to tolerate the side effects of the medical treatments they receive.
• Family support: Professionals work hand in hand with family members, providing them with clear and precise information, resolving doubts and supporting them emotionally. The family is a fundamental element in the care of the terminally ill patient.
• Other activities: Some patients find comfort in listening to relaxing music or their favorite songs, which helps create an environment of peace and well-being. Others enjoy reading or having books read to them. These activities not only distract them, but allow them to connect with pleasant memories and moments of happiness. For those who wish, religious support can be included and seeking the support of spiritual counselors, who offer prayers or talks to help them find inner peace. Spiritual support may also include meditation or reflection on life and purpose, which helps alleviate emotional distress.

Although palliative care teams are typically based in a hospital or clinic, it is increasingly common for them to provide their services in an outpatient setting, as it is more desirable to provide support to both patients and caregivers in the comfort of home. And as the world's population ages and the number of people living with chronic illness increases, palliative care has become a growing necessity in global health systems. This commemoration invites us to reflect on the importance of developing policies that support these services, the training of specialized professionals and raising awareness in society about the importance of supporting patients and their families in critical moments.

Palliative care is nothing new:

It emerged during the Middle Ages, when it was intended to provide shelter and relief from the suffering of patients who died later due to the poor development in health and sanitary conditions of the time.

It was not until 1967 that the first hospice that accepted people with terminal illnesses appeared in London. Its purpose was to provide physical and psychological support to both, patients and their families, so that they could cope with grief. In addition, it conducted studies to find new treatments that could extend their life span or cure the illness in the future.

Palliative care specialists focus on offering terminally ill patients a new perspective on their situation, helping them find a space to reflect on the valuable experiences they have lived and express gratitude for the time they have had, regardless of its duration. Through this care, the patient is encouraged to find peace and acceptance in this final life stage.

In addition, another key objective of palliative care is to prepare families for the outcome, with psychological and social support for the family group, guiding them in the process of acceptance and mourning.

How can families better cope with preparing for a loss? The intervention of these specialists offers tools that facilitate this process, seeking to alleviate pain and reduce the emotional impact of the departure. Work is done to close any pending emotional process related to the patient, seeking acceptance and peace in one of the most difficult stages of life.