What does palliative care mean?
The term palliative care derives from the Latin word palliare – "to cloak". This neatly describes the underlying idea of the field: people with an incurable, progressive illness should receive comprehensive care, physical relief and emotional support. The focus is not on curing the underlying disease, but on relieving distressing symptoms and maintaining the highest possible quality of life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as a holistic approach that takes physical complaints into account along with psychological, social and spiritual needs. Palliative care in Austria follows this definition and is now a firmly established part of the healthcare system.
Who is palliative care for?
Palliative care is not intended solely for people in the final phase of life. It can be useful early in the course of a serious illness – often alongside disease-directed treatment.
Typical conditions in which palliative support may be appropriate include:
- advanced cancers
- severe end-stage heart, lung or kidney disease
- neurological disorders such as ALS, advanced Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
- advanced dementia
- other chronic progressive conditions with limited life expectancy
Family members are explicitly part of the care, too. They receive advice, relief and psychosocial support – during the illness and in the bereavement phase.
Aims of palliative care
Palliative care pursues several interlinked aims:
- Symptom control: relief of pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, anxiety or sleep disturbance
- Psychosocial support: help with worries, fears and coping with the illness
- Spiritual support: space for questions of meaning, faith and life
- Promoting self-determination: patients decide on therapy goals to the extent they are able
- Support for family members: conversations, training in care tasks, bereavement support
Open, empathetic communication – including about difficult topics such as treatment decisions, advance directives or the end of life – is a central element.
Care structures: palliative care in Austria
Austria has a tiered concept of hospice and palliative care. It is designed to ensure that those affected receive appropriate support regardless of where they live and what they need. The structures are jointly maintained by the health and social services and by non-profit organisations such as the umbrella association Hospiz Österreich.
1. Outpatient palliative care at home
Many people wish to be cared for in familiar surroundings. Various services are available for this:
- Mobile palliative teams: multi-professional teams of doctors, nurses and social workers who support patients at home or in care facilities
- General practitioners and office-based specialists: key contacts for ongoing medical care
- Home nursing services: nursing care in the home environment
- Hospice teams (volunteers): trained companions who give time, listen and provide relief
2. Day hospices
Day hospices offer daytime care, medical attention and social contact. They are an intermediate option and can be a useful addition when home care is to continue but extra support is wanted.
3. Palliative care units in hospitals
Palliative care units are dedicated wards in hospitals, specialising in the treatment of severely distressing symptoms. The aim is usually stabilisation, so that patients can subsequently be discharged home or to another form of care.
4. Inpatient hospices in Austria
An inpatient hospice is a facility for people in the final phase of life whose care at home is no longer possible. The focus is on dignity, comfort and quality of life. The length of stay depends on the individual course of illness. A hospice in Austria sees itself as a "place of life" – with professional nursing and medical care as well as psychosocial and spiritual support.
Who works in a palliative care team?
Palliative care is teamwork. Those involved include:
- doctors with additional training in palliative care
- qualified nurses with palliative care training
- physiotherapists and occupational therapists
- psychologists and psychotherapists
- social workers
- chaplains of different denominations
- volunteer hospice companions
This diversity makes it possible to respond to each person's individual needs.
Frequent questions from patients and families
When is the right time to seek palliative support?
Studies suggest that early involvement can be helpful – not only in the last weeks of life. Speak to your treating doctor if distressing symptoms occur or if you have questions about further treatment.
Does palliative care mean that all treatments are stopped?
No. Palliative care does not exclude active treatment. What matters is the individual treatment goal, which is discussed jointly with patients, family members and the care team.
What does palliative care cost?
Many services are covered by social insurance. For hospices and mobile services, arrangements vary by federal province, sometimes involving co-payments or subsidies. Health insurers, social workers and the Hospiz Österreich umbrella association can provide information.
What is an advance directive?
In an advance directive you can specify which medical measures you wish to receive or refuse in certain situations. It is an important instrument of self-determination. Medical and legal advice is recommended when drawing one up.
Support for family members
Caring for a seriously ill person is challenging. Family members frequently report exhaustion, grief and uncertainty. The following options can ease the burden:
- care leave and family hospice leave with statutory protection
- counselling services run by the federal provinces and social insurance institutions
- self-help groups and bereavement groups
- volunteer hospice support
Taking breaks and accepting help is not a sign of weakness, but an important prerequisite for being there for the person affected over the long term.
Conclusion
Palliative care in Austria is now broadly established and offers patients and their families a wide range of support – from outpatient care at home and day hospices to palliative care units and inpatient hospices. Those who seek information and advice at an early stage can make targeted use of these structures and, together with the care team, make decisions that match their own life situation.
This article does not replace medical advice.