Palliative Care

Our physicians provide compassionate care while collaborating research on the best ways to assist chronically ill patients. We see patients on an outpatient basis as well as in the hospital and Emergency Department. During a visit, you can meet with a specialist one-on-one or with your family to understand what treatment choices are available to make you more comfortable.

Our care team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, chaplains and others. These vitally important people support the physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs of patients and their families.

Palliative Care

Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for people with a chronic disease or illness. We focus on:

• Relieving pain or other symptoms, such as nausea or difficulty breathing
• Improving communications with a patient's providers and family
• Assisting patients, families and care providers with making difficult health care decisions and identifying goals of care
• Connecting patients to helpful community resources, such as meal delivery programs or transportation
• Offering support and education to help patients and families feel less overwhelmed or alone

We create custom treatment plans based on your health, needs and wishes. We work with patients, families and care providers and modify plans as the patient's needs change.

Some of the life-limiting or chronic debilitating conditions palliative care supports are:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Congestive heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Progressive neurological conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis
• Other life-impacting or life-limiting illnesses

Palliative Care versus Hospice Care

Palliative care is much broader than hospice care. Hospice care is usually provided to people in the last six months of life. Palliative care, on the other hand, is available at any point in a person’s progressive or critical illness. You do not have to be dying to receive palliative care. Getting help before your symptoms become overwhelming can improve your quality of life right now. If you choose to continue treatment meant to cure your illness or help you live longer, you can still receive palliative care.

We collaborate with excellent hospice programs to provide our patients and their loved ones with the highest possible quality of life. If you need hospice care, our palliative care experts work closely with many hospices in the community and connect you with the right community program.

To schedule a consultation, or to learn more, call 216-778-2343.