PALLIATIVE CARE
WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused 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. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.
PALLIATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED
Our palliative care specialists work with your other doctors as a team to help you get the services you need. We can help with a variety of issues, including:
Symptom control
Clarification of care goals
Psychological support
Spiritual counseling
Support for family, friends, and caregivers
In-depth discussion about your condition and treatment options
Connection with local social services
Accessing hospice services in the hospital or after discharge
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PALLIATIVE CARE
Four things you should know about Palliative Care:
1. Palliative care is not the same as hospice care.
2. Hospice care is only one part of palliative care. Unlike hospice care, which is intended for people in the final months of life, you can receive palliative treatments at the same time you are receiving curative care.
3. It’s never too early to begin palliative care. Palliative care can occur at the same time as all other treatments for your illness. It does not depend upon your prognosis, so there’s no reason to wait. Pain and other symptoms affect your quality of life and the stress can have a big impact on your family.
4. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care services.
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
During your journey, it is important to understand what type of care your loved one needs.
If you or a loved one are facing a serious illness, Premier Care’s palliative care specialists can provide an added layer of support for you and your family. Our goal is to prevent or relieve the symptoms and stresses of your disease and treatment. Many of our patients have advanced heart failure, advanced pulmonary disease, advanced cancer, and other serious, complex conditions. You can receive palliative care services alongside treatment. We are here to help.
FAQS
Who Provides Palliative Care?
A palliative care team may include specialist nurses and doctors, social workers, religious or spiritual leaders, therapists, or nutritionists, among other professionals. Your team may vary depending on your needs and level of care.
How Does Palliative Care Differ from The Care I’m Getting Now?
Palliative care can be provided alongside your current treatment and care. Your palliative care team works with your current doctor and others to provide specific treatments and care plans. Palliative care is meant to enhance your current care by focusing on quality of life for you and your family.
How do I know if I need Palliative Care?
People living with a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, or kidney failure, may experience emotional or physical pain related to their illness. If you’re having trouble coping with this pain, palliative care may be right for you. You don’t need to wait until your disease is in the advanced stages or you’re in the final months of life to start palliative care. Talk with your doctor if you’re considering starting palliative care. To begin the process, your health care provider can refer you to a palliative care specialist. If he or she doesn’t suggest it, you can ask your health care provider for a referral.
Where Can I Find Palliative Care?
Palliative care can be provided in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient palliative care clinics and certain other specialized clinics, or at home.
If you’re looking for palliative care in your area, visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website.
Will My Insurance Cover Palliative Care?
Most private insurance plans at least partially cover palliative care services. Medicare and Medicaid also typically cover most of these services. Veterans may also be eligible for palliative care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you have concerns about paying for palliative care, a social worker, care manager, or financial advisor at your hospital or clinic may be able to help you.
Does Using Palliative Care Mean I’m Dying?
Not necessarily. Palliative care is meant to relieve symptoms such as pain, breathing difficulties, or nausea, among others, and relieve stress for patients and their families. Palliative care can be used at any time after diagnosis of a serious illness.
How Does Hospice Care Differ from Palliative Care?
Hospice care is a specialized form of palliative care that is delivered in the final months or weeks of life. Hospice care is used when patients and their families no longer wish to pursue treatments that are meant to slow or halt the progression of an illness, and instead focus only on comfort care. Hospice care services are generally covered in full by Medicare and most other insurances.
Should I Include Palliative Care in My Advanced Care Planning?
Advance care planning involves making decisions ahead of time about the health care you would want to receive at the end of life or in a medical crisis. When a person is diagnosed with a serious illness, they should prioritize early advanced care planning conversations with their family and doctors. Studies have shown that patients who have participated in advanced care planning are more likely to be satisfied with their care and have care that is aligned with their wishes.
PREPARE For Your Care, funded in part by the National Institute on Aging, is an interactive online program that helps you fill out an advance directive and express your wishes in writing. This tool is available in English and Spanish.
What Are the Benefits of Using Palliative Care?
Studies have shown that palliative care can have many benefits for both patients and their families. These studies show that those enrolled in palliative care have fewer symptoms, greater emotional support, and increased patient and family satisfaction.
