Palliative care is specialised medical care that improves quality of life for people living with a serious illness, and for their families. It focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms, supporting emotional and practical needs, and helping people live as well as possible, at any stage of illness, not only at the end of life. It can be given alongside treatments that aim to cure or control the illness, such as chemotherapy or dialysis. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 56.8 million people need palliative care each year, but only about 14 percent receive it. This guide explains what palliative care means, who it helps, when to ask for it, what it includes, and what families should know when considering care in Turkey.
What Is Palliative Care? A Simple Explanation
The WHO defines palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients, adults and children, and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through early identification, assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychological, social and spiritual problems.
In simple terms, palliative care asks: *”What matters most to you, and how can we make each day as comfortable and meaningful as possible?”*
What Does Palliative Care Mean in Practice?
| Area of care | Examples |
| Physical symptoms | Pain, breathlessness, nausea, tiredness, poor appetite, constipation, sleep problems |
| Emotional support | Anxiety, low mood, fear, adjustment to a diagnosis |
| Practical needs | Equipment at home, care planning, help with daily tasks |
| Family and carers | Information, respite, support with caring, bereavement support |
| Spiritual needs | Meaning, faith, dignity and personal wishes |
| Planning ahead | Advance care planning and decisions about future treatment |
Does Palliative Care Mean Death? A Common Misconception
No. Palliative care is not only for the last days of life. Many people receive palliative care for months or years while continuing treatment for their illness. Some people’s symptoms improve enough that they need less palliative support later. The WHO notes that palliative care delivered early in the course of illness improves quality of life and reduces unnecessary hospital admissions.
When Should Someone Be Offered Palliative Care?
Palliative care can be helpful from the time of diagnosis of a serious illness. It is worth asking about if:
- Symptoms such as pain or breathlessness are not well controlled
- The illness is affecting daily life, mood or sleep
- There are frequent hospital admissions
- The family or carers are struggling
- Difficult decisions about treatment are coming up
- The person wants to plan ahead for their care
Who Needs Palliative Care?
The WHO reports that most adults who need palliative care have chronic diseases, including:
| Condition group | Share of adults needing palliative care (WHO) |
| Cardiovascular disease | 38.5% |
| Cancer | 34% |
| Chronic respiratory disease | 10.3% |
| AIDS | 5.7% |
| Diabetes | 4.6% |
Other conditions include kidney failure, chronic liver disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other neurological diseases. Children with serious illnesses also benefit from palliative care.
Is Palliative Care the Same as End-of-Life Care?
End-of-life care is part of palliative care, but not all palliative care is end-of-life care. The NHS explains that end-of-life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life, aiming to help them live as well as possible until they die and to die with dignity. Palliative care can start much earlier.
Palliative Care vs Hospice Care: What’s the Difference?
| Palliative care | Hospice care | |
| When | Any stage of a serious illness | Usually when curative treatment has stopped and life expectancy is limited |
| Alongside treatment | Yes, can be combined with curative treatment | Focus on comfort rather than cure |
| Where | Hospital, clinic, home, care homes | Hospice, home or care homes |
| Goal | Best possible quality of life | Comfort, dignity and support at the end of life |
Stages of Palliative Care
Palliative care does not follow fixed stages for everyone, but many care teams think about phases:
- Early phase: after diagnosis, focusing on symptom control, information and planning.
- Stable phase: symptoms are controlled; regular check-ins and support continue.
- Unstable or deteriorating phase: new or worsening symptoms need closer care.
- Terminal phase: the last days or weeks of life, focusing on comfort and dignity.
- Bereavement: support for family and friends after death.
What Services Are Included in Palliative Care?
The WHO describes palliative care as team-based, involving doctors, nurses, support workers, pharmacists, physiotherapists and volunteers, among others. Services can include:
- Assessment and control of pain and other symptoms, including access to strong pain medicines when needed
- Nursing care and help with personal care
- Psychological support and counselling
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy to stay as active as possible
- Nutrition advice
- Help with practical and financial questions
- Support for carers and bereavement counselling
How Long Does Palliative Care Last?
There is no fixed duration. Some people receive palliative care for a short time during a difficult phase; others for months or years. Care is adjusted as needs change.
Benefits of Palliative Care for Patients and Families
- Better control of pain and other symptoms
- Improved quality of life and mood
- Fewer unplanned hospital admissions, according to the WHO
- Support for difficult decisions and planning ahead
- Practical and emotional help for carers
- Care that respects the person’s wishes, culture and faith
Palliative Care in Turkey: What Families Should Know
Turkey has palliative care units in many public and private hospitals, including in Antalya, as well as home care services. For international patients and families, important questions are:
- Medical records: bring recent reports, scans and a list of current medicines, translated if possible.
- Medicines: check rules for carrying strong pain medicines across borders and how prescriptions will be continued.
- Language: ask how communication with the care team will be supported.
- Insurance: check whether your health or travel insurance covers care abroad.
- Travel: consider whether travel is safe and comfortable for the patient, and plan for medical support during the journey.
- Continuity: agree how care will continue when the patient returns home.
Is Palliative Care in Turkey a Good Option?
For some families, especially those with relatives in Turkey or who live there part of the year, care in Turkey can be a good choice. For others, staying close to their home healthcare team is better. The right choice depends on the patient’s condition, wishes, the family’s situation and access to services. Palliative care is about comfort and quality of life, so travel should only be planned when it serves those goals.
If you are considering medical treatment in Antalya and would like to talk about your situation, you can contact us.
The Palliative Care Team
Palliative care is delivered by a team that changes according to the person’s needs. The WHO describes palliative care as team-based, supporting both the patient and caregivers.
| Team member | How they help |
| Palliative care doctor | Assesses and treats pain and other symptoms, and helps with decisions about care |
| Specialist nurse | Day-to-day symptom care, medicines, coordination and support at home or in hospital |
| Psychologist or counsellor | Emotional support for the patient and family |
| Social worker | Practical, financial and care arrangements |
| Physiotherapist and occupational therapist | Mobility, comfort, equipment and independence |
| Dietitian | Eating, appetite and nutrition |
| Chaplain or spiritual advisor | Spiritual and faith-based support, if wished |
| Volunteers | Companionship and practical help |
Common Symptoms and How They Are Managed
| Symptom | Ways it can be eased |
| Pain | Regular pain medicines, including strong painkillers when needed, positioning, heat or cold, relaxation |
| Breathlessness | Treating the cause where possible, medicines, a fan, positioning, breathing techniques, oxygen in some cases |
| Nausea and vomiting | Anti-sickness medicines, small frequent meals, treating constipation |
| Tiredness | Planning activities, rest periods, treating causes such as anaemia when appropriate |
| Anxiety and low mood | Talking, counselling, practical support and medicines if needed |
| Poor appetite | Small, enjoyable meals; focusing on comfort rather than strict diets |
Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning means thinking and talking ahead about the care you would want if you became more unwell. It can include:
- What matters most to you and what you would like to avoid
- Where you would prefer to be cared for
- Who should speak for you if you cannot make decisions
- Your wishes about specific treatments
- Spiritual, cultural or religious wishes
These conversations are often easier when started early, and they help families feel more confident that they are respecting the person’s wishes.
Support for Families and Carers
Caring for someone with a serious illness can be exhausting. Palliative care also supports carers through information, practical help, respite, emotional support and, later, bereavement support. Carers should be encouraged to look after their own health and to ask for help early.
Palliative Care for Children
Children with life-limiting conditions also benefit from palliative care, which may last for many years. Paediatric palliative care focuses on comfort, development, play and family life, alongside treatment of the illness. It involves the whole family, including brothers and sisters.
Talking About Palliative Care
Many families find it hard to start the conversation. Helpful ways to begin include asking the doctor what to expect over the coming months, what can be done to make symptoms easier, and what support is available at home. It is never too early to ask whether palliative care could help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does palliative care mean?
It is specialised care that improves quality of life for people with a serious illness and their families, by relieving symptoms and supporting physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Does palliative care mean someone is dying?
No. Palliative care can start at diagnosis and be given alongside treatment that aims to cure or control the illness.
What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?
Palliative care can be given at any stage. Hospice care usually begins when curative treatment has stopped and the focus is on comfort at the end of life.
Who needs palliative care?
People with serious illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, lung disease, kidney or liver failure, dementia and neurological conditions, and their families.
How many people need palliative care?
The WHO estimates about 56.8 million people need palliative care each year, but only about 14 percent receive it.
How long does palliative care last?
There is no fixed time. It can last weeks, months or years, depending on needs.
Is palliative care only for cancer?
No. The WHO reports that cardiovascular disease is the most common reason adults need palliative care, followed by cancer.
Can palliative care be given at home?
Yes. Palliative care can be given at home, in hospital, in clinics or in care homes.
Who provides palliative care?
A team that can include doctors, specialist nurses, counsellors, social workers, therapists, dietitians, spiritual advisors and volunteers.
Can palliative care help with breathlessness?
Yes. Treatments include medicines, positioning, breathing techniques, a fan and, in some cases, oxygen.
What is advance care planning?
It is thinking and talking ahead about the care you would want if you became more unwell, including where you want to be cared for and who should speak for you.
Is palliative care available for children?
Yes. Paediatric palliative care supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families, often for many years.
Sources and Medical Information
This guide is general information. It is based on published guidance, including:
- World Health Organization: Palliative care fact sheet
- NHS: End of life care, what it involves and when it starts
- National Cancer Institute: Palliative care in cancer
It does not replace medical advice: decisions about care should always be made with the patient’s own doctors. Last updated: October 2026.
