Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses, focusing on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the disease. Palliative care’s goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. It can begin with the diagnosis and continue with aggressive treatments. The team will spend time talking and listening to you and your family to ensure you completely understand all of your treatment options and choices. They will also ensure that your doctors are coordinated and know what you want. This gives you more control over your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
A person is eligible for palliative care when diagnosed with a life-threatening, severe, advanced illness or decline.
The interdisciplinary team consists of a nurse practitioner and medical social worker care navigator.
Palliative care is available in several places. More and more, palliative care is available outside of the hospital in the places where you live. You, your doctor, and your palliative care team can discuss outpatient palliative care or palliative care at home.
Palliative care may be right for you if you have a serious illness. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness. You can also have this type of care at the same time as treatment meant to cure you.