Palliative care means specialised medical and psychological support focused on improving quality of life for people living with serious illness. It addresses physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing, and practical challenges while also supporting families. Palliative care can begin at the time of diagnosis and may be provided alongside curative treatment.

When someone goes into palliative care, the focus of care shifts toward improving quality of life and relieving suffering. Support may include managing physical symptoms, providing emotional and psychological support, and helping patients and families navigate difficult decisions. Palliative care can be provided alongside medical treatment or when treatment is no longer effective.

No, palliative care does not necessarily mean someone is dying. Palliative care can begin at diagnosis and may continue for months or even years alongside active medical treatment. It is often misunderstood because it is sometimes associated with end-of-life care. In reality, the main goal is to improve quality of life at any stage of a serious illness, regardless of prognosis.

Palliative care can begin at the time of diagnosis and may continue alongside medical treatment for months or years. Hospice care is usually provided when a person is approaching the end of life and curative treatment is no longer pursued. In some healthcare systems, including parts of South Africa, hospice services are often reserved for patients with a limited life expectancy.

Palliative care can start as soon as someone is diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness. Early support can help manage symptoms, reduce emotional distress, and improve communication between patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Establishing a supportive care team early also allows professionals to understand the patient’s situation and respond more effectively as needs change.

Yes. Palliative care can be provided alongside treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, or other medical interventions. While medical treatment focuses on managing or curing the illness, palliative care focuses on improving day-to-day quality of life by addressing symptoms, emotional wellbeing, and practical challenges.