Neurology, Addiction and Psychiatry Conference

Neuropalliative care is that area of care specialty that focuses on enhancing the quality of life in persons with neurological diseases. The discipline is holistic care for controlling complex symptoms and other difficult issues related to chronic or life-limiting neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and stroke. Neuropalliative care is a multidimensional intervention for the physical and psychosocial support for the patients and their families; not only the medical needs are taken care of but other dimensions related to psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of care are dealt with.

Neurological disorders accompany numerous debilitating symptoms in patients, such as suffering from pain, muscle stiffness, difficulty in swallowing, fatigue, cognitive decline, and physical inability to mobilize. Therefore, the goal of neuropalliative care is to reduce the symptoms, provide symptom management that may improve a patient's comfort and dignity as they are restored along the course of the illness. Unlike traditional palliative care, neuropalliative care can be instituted at any stage of a neurological disorder so long as it provides support alongside curative treatments.

Multidisciplinary holism is the backbone of a patient care model in neuropalliative care that incorporates a neurologist, a palliative care specialist, nurses, social worker, and mental health professionals coordinated around the development of individualized care plans based on a given patient's unique needs and goals. This includes all the control over physical symptoms but also emotional support offered to the patients and their families so that they may cope with the stress, uncertainty, and grief usually associated with neurological diseases.

Neuropalliative care helps patients and families make decisions about treatment options and long-term care in advanced neurological disorders but can also help patients and families choose quality of life rather than pursue aggressive treatments for diseases. Patient-centered care offers an opportunity to share values and preferences for end-of-life care including pain control and advanced care planning and decisions related to artificial life support.

Because neurological disease progression may be unpredictable, early involvement of neuropalliative care services can provide critical benefits in preparing for the challenges ahead of the patient and caregiver. Published studies have been presented that clearly demonstrate improvements in patient outcomes, decreased hospitalizations, and more effective symptom management with the integration of neuropalliative care.

Neuropalliative care is, therefore, a compassionate and holistic approach toward taking care of patients with chronic neurological conditions in order to keep the dignity, comfort, and emotional wellbeing of patients intact throughout the course of their illness.