Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
The statistics are sobering: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six out of 10 Americans live with a chronic illness, and four out of 10 cope with the challenges of living with more than one chronic disease. These conditions are the leading cause of death and disability in the US.
These numbers don’t begin to capture the suffering and reduced life satisfaction of patients and families living with serious illnesses that can still benefit from curative care. Fortunately for residents of Southwest Florida, a medical specialty called palliative care is available from Avow, a nonprofit organization with 40 years of experience providing comfort care and symptom relief.
Palliative care focuses on relieving distressing symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain, nausea, anxiety, loss of appetite, and sleep disturbances. Anyone who is suffering from illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, stroke, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease can ask their doctor to prescribe palliative care. Patients do not have to “give up” their current physicians, specialists, or treatments; palliative care is “added to” their treatment options for quality-of-life improvement.
“Palliative care can help anyone at any stage of a serious or chronic illness,” Says Avow’s Eileen Fagan Crowley, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who sees patients at Avow’s palliative care clinic in Collier County, or in their homes when it’s difficult for them to leave home. “It provides extra support while patients continue to seek to cure a condition or live more comfortably with a serious illness. There are no limits to the number of visits a patient can have; our team is here to help, for as long as it takes.”
Most Avow palliative care patients work with an APRN and a social worker. The APRN addresses the patient’s physical/emotional symptoms and medications; the social worker helps the patient and their family cope with the psychological and practical impacts of serious illness. If the patient and/or family desire, they can meet with an Avow chaplain for spiritual support. Massage therapy is also available.
According to Fagan Crowley, what sets palliative care apart from other medical specialties is its “blessing of time.” Palliative care visits are unrushed, allowing team members and patients to consider and discuss goals of their medical care, such as identifying what is most important to the patient and family, and how the patient defines quality of life for himself/herself.
“People coping with serious illness are often overwhelmed by symptoms, worries and concerns,” Fagan Crowley says. “Avow palliative care relieves that stress by helping patients identify what would bring them the greatest joy. We believe being at peace emotionally and being comfortable physically are medicine for the soul – and are what makes palliative care unlike any other medical specialty. It’s here for everyone.”
That was true for a young Collier County mother, whose chronic illnesses frightened and troubled her seven-year-old son. At 41, “Anna” had suffered from lupus and Crohn’s disease for more than 20 years. She had been hospitalized repeatedly for treatments that sapped her energy, destroyed her quality of life, and deeply upset her sensitive son. To help both Anna and her child, Anna’s doctor referred her to Avow’s palliative care program. The Avow team changed her medicines and prescribed liquids instead of pills, which Anna tolerated much more easily. Her need for emergency care and hospitalizations is now almost eliminated. The team also helped Anna’s family cope with their fears. “Avow palliative care saved my life,” Anna says. “My son’s life is better with me healthier and at home, too.”
Avow’s palliative care service is quality-certified by Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), the first in Florida to achieve this independent certification. Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance programs bill for palliative care treatments the same as for physician office visits. Avow’s nonprofit program is also supported by generous donations from the community.
In recognition of National Critical Illness Awareness Month, Avow will offer a no-cost lunch and learn seminar on the basics of palliative care, featuring Fagan Crowley as a speaker. The event, called 59 Minutes to Living Your Best Life with a Serious or Chronic Illness through Palliative Care, will be October 17, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ispiri center on Avow’s Campus, located at 1205 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples. Lunch will be for the first half hour, with the presentation beginning at noon.
For more information or to reserve your spot, 239-280-2288. To speak directly to the Avow palliative care team, call (239) 430-3558 or visit avowcares.org.
