What is palliative care?

Being hospitalized with an advanced illness can be difficult and confusing.   You and your family may have questions about your illness and the choices you must make.

Palliative care is a specialized care for people who are living with an advanced disease. The goal of palliative care is to provide the best quality of life for patients by ensuring their comfort and dignity.   Palliative care focuses on the whole person and includes expert medical care, symptom and pain management, as well as emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient and his or her family's needs and wishes.

Quality of life is an important aspect of palliative care, which is why the care team works with you, your attending doctor and family to achieve your goals. The team is skilled in helping patients and families cope with the illness.

Who provides palliative care?

A team of trained healthcare professionals who have clinical expertise in disease process, treatment options, and symptom and pain management provides palliative care. The care team can vary depending on the needs of the patient and family.   In cooperation with your doctor, care usually involves doctors trained and board certified in palliative medicine, nursing staff with specialized skills, a case manager or social worker, a chaplain and a pharmacist. Other professionals such as nutritionists, therapists and volunteers may also work with the team.

What role does my doctor play?

Your primary care doctor will continue to direct your care. The palliative care team members provide additional support and consultation to your primary care doctor. The healthcare team works together to provide the best care for you.

What type of patient benefits from palliative care?

Any patient in the hospital who has a serious illness with an unpredictable prognosis such as advanced dementia, lung, heart, kidney disease or cancer can benefit from the many aspects of palliative care. Palliative care is best introduced early in the course of treatment, but it can help patients at all stages of an illness.

Who pays for palliative care?

Medicare or insurance plans usually cover palliative care in the hospital. These plans generally cover most care including drugs, medical supplies and equipment while the person is in the hospital.

What does palliative care provide?

Pain Management
Pharmacologic
Relaxation

Symptom Management
Breathing difficulties
Fatigue
Depression
Insomnia
Constipation/diarrhea

Case Management
Coordination of care between inpatient and outpatient settings
Referrals to community resources including home care and rehabilitation therapies

Information on Advance Directives
Living Wills
Health Care Proxy
Durable Power of Attorney

Assistance with End-of-Life Decision Making

Emotional and Spiritual
Support in coping with illness
Support for family and loved ones

How does palliative care begin?

If you or a family member is in the hospital with a serious illness with an unpredictable prognosis, we encourage you to discuss your individual care plan, and symptom and pain management issues with your doctor.   You and your doctor should discuss palliative care and whether it may be appropriate for your situation. Your doctor will determine if a referral to our consultation team is appropriate. Our team will respond promptly and review your medical history and current plan of care. We will also assess you and your family's needs and discuss our findings with your doctor.

If you wish to learn more about Roper St. Francis Healthcare's Palliative Services Program, please contact a Patient Representative.