Palliative care is different from hospice care. Palliative care is available to you at any time during your illness. Palliative Care is the organized delivery of patient and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating symptoms of individual with serious illness. The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible and improve your quality of life.
Our Palliative Care Certified Nurses (CHPN) provides comprehensive treatment of the discomfort, symptoms and stress of serious illness. Palliative care addresses the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and the family, as well as facilitating access to information and choice. It is provided and coordinated by an interdisciplinary team in any setting
Palliative care provides relief from distressing symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, problems with sleep and many other symptoms. It can also help you deal with the side effects of the medical treatments you’re receiving. Perhaps, most importantly, palliative care can help improve your quality of life.
Palliative care can improve your quality of life in a variety of ways.
An interdisciplinary team approach to patient-centered care.
Palliative care is provided by a team of specialists that may include:
- Palliative care doctors and Nurse Practitioners
- Palliative care nurses
- Social workers
- Chaplains
- Pharmacists
- Nutritionists
- Counselors and other
Your questions answered:
- Where do I receive Palliative Care?
Community-based Palliative Care is provided to patients in their home.
- Does my insurance pay for Palliative Care?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care.
- How do I know if Palliative Care is right for me?
Palliative Care may be right for you-
- If you suffer from pain, stress or other symptoms due to a serious illness.
- If your loved ones are distressed due to the serious illness you are dealing with and need help with information, need an advocate, need help with resources or need help with respite from caregiver burn out.
- If circumstances surrounding your serious illness is reducing the quality of life for you and your loved one involved in your care.
- If psycho-social and spiritual support will enhance the quality of your life and will help you deal with sensitive issues that matter in life.
- What can i expect from palliative care?
You can expect relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Palliative care helps you carry on with your daily life. It improves your ability to go through medical treatments. It helps you better understand your condition and your choices for medical care. In short, you can expect the best possible quality of life. - who provides palliative care?
Palliative care is provided by an interdisciplinary team including palliative care doctors, nurses, social workers and spiritual counselors.
- how does palliative care work with my own doctor?
The palliative care team works in partnership with other doctors to provide an extra layer of support for you and your family. The team works with your physician for symptom management, extra time for communication about your goals and treatment options and help navigating the health system. Your doctor still navigates the direction of your treatment and Palliative Team provides you the needed support and communicates with your physician of their assessment and recommendation as they visit you in your home. - how do i get palliative care?
You have to ask for it!
Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services has recognized the need for patient centered Palliative Care for patients dealing with serious illness. Please see the information brochure provided by CMS.
