PALLIATIVE CARE MISSION

By the infinite grace of God Almighty, Mar Gregorios Karunya Nilayam is successfully continuing its blessed activities. We have proposed to extend our services to the SICK-FALLEN PATIENTS who need palliative care. Initially we aim to give our support to the natives of Kottayam district by utilizing the voluntary manpower of Kottayam Diocese’s Marthamariam Samajam and Youth Movement (OCYM)And in cooperation with "ARDRA".


Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan H. H. BASELIOS MARTHOMA PAULOSE II officially inaugurated OUR NEW PALLIATIVE CARE MISSION during HIS HOLINESS’ visit to Karunya Nilayam on January 28. H.G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese and Manging Trustee of Karunya Nilayam presided over the meeting. Mar Mathew Moolakkattu, Bishop of Knanaya Catholic Church, Kottayam Arch-Diocese, Bishop Sam Mathew of C.S.I. Madhya Kerala Diocese blessed the mission with their presence and felicitations. Sri. Thomas Chazhikadan MLA, Sri. Sunny Kalloor, Municipal Chairman, many reverent priests and sisters, Doctors of Kottayam Medical College Hospital and well wishers of Karunya Nilayam were present. After the warm reception and Noon Prayer His Holiness and Bishops served food to the poor patients and their by standers.


IMPORATNCE OF PALLIATIVE CARE

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care focuses on caring for patients knowing their illness cannot be cured. Our approach begins with what is important to them as people, what makes them feel good about themselves, and uses a variety of therapies to relieve the pain, symptoms and stress that accompany serious illness. Palliative care is comfort care, making sure pain is controlled and families have the help and support they need.

It focuses on caring for patients rather than curing an illness and incorporates a variety of therapies to relieve pain and symptoms, such as medication, massage and music.

Why is Palliative Care Important?

People with serious diseases are often given choices for treatment during their disease process, such as radiation, chemotherapy, breathing machines or surgical procedures.

Some patients may have many hospital admissions in a year and may not respond or fully respond to the treatment they receive.

When the burdens of treating an illness outweigh the benefits, the goal of a patient's care may change from curing to comfort so he or she can enjoy the time remaining and achieve personal goals at the end of life.
As the patient nears the end of life, palliative care may extend to involve hospice care if they patient and his or her family wish.

GOALS

While palliative care may seem to offer a broad range of services, the goals of palliative treatment are concrete: relief from suffering, treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms, psychological and spiritual care, a support system to help the individual live as actively as possible, and a support system to sustain and rehabilitate the individual's family.

VOLUNTEERING

Whether you are a recent retiree looking to fill your time, a professional looking to give back, or a student interested in community service, Karunya Nilayam encourages everyone to volunteer.

Our palliative mission as well as our entire social services has many areas where volunteers are greatly needed and enhance the services we provide for patients and families.

We will work with you to find a volunteer opportunity that will use your special skills to their fullest extent.

ANNEXURE

Good palliative care can prevent suffering and may ultimately eliminate the need for assisted suicide and euthanasia, a leading international neurologist has said.

Palliative care is the care given to a person who is not expected to recover from their illness. It is aimed at relieving symptoms and pain, rather than attempting to cure the disease.

According to Dr Kathleen Foley, a neurologist with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in America, many countries have given a low priority to palliative care, which should instead be an integral part of all public health programmes.

She pointed to a recent American study of 165 patients, who had all requested physician-assisted suicide. The study found that 46% of patients changed their minds about suicide when they received substantive palliative care and pain interventions, compared to 15% for whom no interventions were made.

"Palliative care is fundamental in providing effective relief of pain and other symptoms, as well as emotional and psychological support to patients", said EAPC president, Dr Stein Kaasa. {The EAPC (European Association for Palliative Care) is a non-governmental organisation, which is working to improve palliative care for everyone in Europe}.

APPEAL

We appeal to all our well-wishers to lend us a helping hand by your prayers, involvement and generous contributions. Donations to “Mar Gregorios Karunya Nilayam” are exempted from Income Tax under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.