Rae Anne Reflects: The Importance of Nutrition When Living with a Serious Illness
Rae Anne is in remission from stage 4 head and neck cancer and enjoys sharing how palliative care changed her and her family’s life for the better. She is living well after treatment and wants to help other people living with a serious illness understand how palliative care can help them, too. In her video series, Rae Anne Reflects, she speaks with different members of the palliative care team. Her goal is to share how palliative care adds an extra layer of support for patients and families – from the time of diagnosis, through, and after treatment.
In the newest episode, Rae Anne speaks with Erin Gurd, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, to discuss the importance of nutrition when living with a serious illness. Rae Anne shares her personal journey with nutrition, and then asks Erin common questions, including why and when someone may want to see a nutritionist. Erin shares that nutrition can make a big difference in treatment, and says that dieticians can help address weight loss, reduced appetite, taste changes, fatigue, and much more.
Erin says, “The beginning of treatment is the best time to start looking at your nutrition or speaking to a dietician. It can help prevent malnutrition.”
To learn more, watch the latest episode now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60mwNaTGfdI&list=PLIjsDla1RqFBOCPQHVMU-ZXEGPpiZDK-f&index=10
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.
Learn More at GetPalliativeCare.Org
GetPalliativeCare.org is an online resource for patients and families that focuses solely on providing information on palliative care from the point of diagnosis. At GetPalliativeCare.Org you can take a short quiz to see whether you could benefit from palliative care, and find a nearby provider. The site is provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care.
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