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What You Should Know About Palliative Care

PALLIATIVE CARE is supportive care for people with life-limiting illnesses who are not eligible or not ready for hospice care. Its goal is to ease the physical, emotional and mental suffering that can occur in people with a serious illness. Palliative care: • can be given at any time during a serious illness, even while you are receiving curative care • provides comfort and enhances quality of life • is supportive care for people with a serious illness • uses a team-oriented approach that includes a physician, nurse practitioner and potentially a nurse and social worker • can be provided in the home, assisted living, nursing facility, medical office or hospital • providers collaborate closely with your other medical providers to ensure cohesive care • can ease symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, constipation, insomnia and fatigue • provides supportive care for a variety of diagnoses, including cancer; dementia; heart, lung and kidney diseases; Parkinson’s; stroke • can help you understand treatment options • can help customize your advance care planning to align with your values • focuses on your goals of care and wishes • does not replace primary care, other specialty care, or other services such as home health • does not interfere with other disease-directed care, such as chemotherapy or dialysis • is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and other commercial insurance • studies show that palliative care can extend life while improving quality of life

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Not sure where to turn as a caregiver? This guide contains extensive caregiver information, services and advocacy resources. Check the Contents in the front of the book to find them.

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Volunteering

Volunteering can be a very rewarding use of your time. Consider these questions before choosing a volunteer opportunity. • What are my skills and my personal priorities? • How much time do I have to volunteer? • How do I want to use my talents?

Organizations Looking for Volunteers (not a comprehensive list)

Assistance League of Austin Volunteers address specific needs through nine philanthropic programs, including toy carts at Dell Children’s Medical Center, services for the elderly, etc. 512–458–3716 alaustin.org

Austin Parks Foundation Volunteers participate in activities such as erosion control, mulching, tree planting, etc. 512–477–1566 austinparks.org

Austin Pets Alive! Animal rescue group for no kill shelter. 512–961–6519 austinpetsalive.org

Austin Public Library Volunteers help with re–shelving books, facilitating conversational language programs, preserving Austin history, etc. 512–974–7443 library.austintexas.gov Austin Scottish Rite Theater An Austin community and children’s theater where volunteers assist with box office, ushering and other event production tasks. 512–472–5436 scottishritetheater.org

Big & Mini Platform designed by UT Austin and TAMS students designed to reduce senior and youth isolation while providing mentorship and mutual friendship through the use of technology. 817–755–0775 bigandmini.org

Bullock Texas State History Museum Volunteers welcome and assist museum patrons, help with special exhibits, etc. 512–936–4634 thestoryoftexas.com

Drive a Senior Home repairs and companionship to the elderly. 512–456–8262 driveasenior.org

Greyhound Rescue Austin An all–volunteer and nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re–homing greyhounds in Austin. 512–288–4480 greyhoundrescueaustin.com

KMFA Classical 89.5 A nonprofit, listener–supported public radio station. Volunteers are needed to assist with mailing, events and projects. 512–476–5632 kmfa.org

Mobile Loaves & Fishes A social outreach ministry for the homeless and indigent working poor. Volunteers help organize, prepare and deliver meals. 512–328–7299 mlf.org

STARRY Volunteers provide food or child care for counseling groups, create scrapbooks for foster care children, read books to younger children, become a mentor and more. 512–246–4283 The Arc of the Capital Area Volunteer opportunities include helping clients at the Arc of Arts Studio; assisting at monthly activities like movie night, bowling and coffee club and more. 512–476–7044 arcaustin.org

Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary Help with cleaning, feeding and socializing animals, adoption events, collecting donations and more. 512–402–9725 thunderingpaws.org

We Are Blood and United starryonline.org

Tissue Resources Volunteers assist on blood drives, serve refreshments in donor centers, provide office support and transport blood product in the center’s vehicles. 512–206–1266 weareblood.org

Youth2Seniors A youth–based organization that creates intergenerational programs designed to pair youth and seniors within the community. 512–961–7805 youth2seniors.org

*These are only a few of the many organizations that are looking for volunteers. If you don’t see something that interests you check srgtexas.com for more volunteer opportunities or consider searching online using “volunteering in Austin.”

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