Palliative Care is a specialty
dedicated to
helping patients
and their loved
ones cope with
serious illness.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is a specialty dedicated to helping
patients and their loved ones cope with serious
illness. Palliative care can be provided simultaneously
with any other treatments and may begin
early in the course of a serious or chronic illness.
Who Are We?
We are an interdisciplinary team consisting of:
- Palliative Care Physicians
- Palliative Care Nurses
- Social Workers
- Chaplain
- Other healthcare professionals
How Do I Know if Palliative Care is Right
For Me or For My Family Member?
Palliative Care is an approach that improves
the quality of life for patients and their families facing serious illnesses. Palliative Care provides:
- Relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- Support to patients and their families
- Help to clarify goals of care for patients with advanced illness
- Psychological, social and spiritual support
- A team approach
- Enhanced communication within a hospital setting
Is Palliative Care Different Than
Hospice Care?
Yes, Palliative Care is not the same as hospice
care. Palliative Care may be provided at any time
during a person’s illness, even from the time
of diagnosis. It may be given along with any
curative treatments.
Hospice care is a form of Palliative Care provided
at the end of life. It focuses on terminally ill
patients who no longer seek treatments to cure
their illness.
Will My Doctor Continue to Care For Me?
Yes, your doctor will continue to take care of
you and be in charge of your care. The Palliative
Care team will work alongside your doctor to
ensure the best possible care.
How Do We Help?
We assist your healthcare team to relieve distressing symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Anxiety or depression
- Agitation or restlessness
- Sleeplessness
We Offer Support to You and Your Family
- We can help communication among family members.
- Provide education regarding your illness and treatment options
- Assist with advance healthcare planning
consistent with the patient’s wishes
- We provide spiritual and emotional support throughout the course of an illness.
We Help With Transitions Between
Care Settings
The Palliative Care Team will work with your
case manager regarding discharge needs and
coordinating community resources.
We Help With Decision Making
We can help you to identify what is most
important to you and your family and help
communicate those wishes to your
healthcare team.
