Palliative Care Program
Palliative care focuses on bringing hope and comfort to patients with serious illnesses, and their families, by addressing their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Palliative care strives to assure comfort, dignity and quality of life. The patient and family are cared for as a unit. Palliative care can be provided while receiving all other medical treatments, including curative measures.
Our Team:
The Palliative Care Program team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, dieticians and educators who have special training and expertise in helping people with serious illness.
Learn more about our program:
How can the Palliative Care Program help me or my family member?
The Palliative Care Program team has special expertise in helping patients feel better through serious illness with care that includes:
- Relief of pain and symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, depression, dementia and anxiety
- Respect for each patient’s values and personal choices
- Assistance and support in making difficult medical decisions
- Help in ensuring patients are as comfortable and active as possible
- Coordination of care and treatment among doctors at all stages of illness
- Identifying services to support patients and families after leaving our hospital
How do I know if the Palliative Care Program is right for me or for my family member?
The Palliative Care Program is an option for you in the hospital if you are experiencing discomfort, dealing with serious illness, or fagcing complex medical decisions. Palliative care may be especially helpful if you or your loved one:
- Has cancer, heart failure, lung, liver or kidney problems, dementia, stroke, or AIDS
- Has pain, trouble breathing, or other distressing symptoms
- Is seriously ill, and facing questions about the future
- Has difficult medical decisions to make and wants help thinking them through
How can I get help from the Palliative Care Program?
You, your family member, or any health care professional working with you simply needs to ask your doctor to order a palliative care consult and someone from the Palliative Care Program will come see you.
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 Program staff will work with your doctor to insure that you get the best possible care.
Is the Palliative Care Program the same as Hospice care?
No. The Palliative Care Program is based in the hospital. You can receive palliative care at any time during your illness and can receive all other treatments at the same time.
Hospice care is generally provided at home. Typically patients involved with Hospice are at the end of life and have decided to forgo curative treatment for their illness.