How can palliative care help?
- Pain management
- Symptom control including: breathing difficulty, weakness, fatigue, nausea, bowel and bladder problems, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
- Education about your illness
- Help in making healthcare decisions
- Provide practical information and assistance for you and your caregiver
Who provides palliative care?
Palliative care is provided by a team of specialists who are trained in assisting patients and their families through what can be the most difficult time in their lives. Members of the team typically include physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, and spiritual care coordinators. Some palliative care teams have physical and speech therapists, pharmacists, dietitians and trained volunteers.
Is Palliative Care the same as Hospice?
No. Palliative care is different from hospice in two main ways:
• Patients can continue to receive aggressive and curative kinds of treatment like chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis and surgery while receiving palliative care
• In order to receive palliative care, patients do not need a physician to certify that they have a terminal diagnosis and a life-expectancy of six-months or less
Who is appropriate for Palliative Care?
Palliative care is for anyone with a serious or life-threatening illness. Serious illnesses may include cancer, dementia, heart and lung disease like CHF and COPD, End Stage Renal Disease, liver disease, ALS, HIV/AIDS and others. Palliative care can be provided to patients of any age, at any stage of their illness.
When should palliative care begin?
Palliative care can begin whenever you and your doctor believe it can help. Ideally, palliative care should be available from the time of diagnosis and last throughout the course of the illness. Recent research indicates that early involvement of palliative care may actually help people who are dealing with serious medical issues live longer.
What are some of the services that palliative care provides?
Palliative care services include:
• Exceptional pain and symptom management by specially trained doctors and nurses
• Care coordination with your current physicians and anyone else who is part of your healthcare team to provide an “extra” layer of support
• Assistance with the development of your individual and unique plan of care for the management of distressing symptoms
• Practical help with the completion of insurance forms, and with making decisions about options for your care and/or housing
• Completion of your advance directives so that your family and physicians are aware of the kind of care you want to receive
• Spiritual care, if desired, as you and your family deal with the stress of your illness
Where do patients receive palliative care?
Palliative care can be received in any setting. Many patients begin receiving palliative care while in the hospital. Others receive palliative care in their home, in a community clinic, in a cancer center, while in rehab or in a skilled nursing facility.
Will my insurance company cover palliative care?
Most insurers and health care plans will cover the medical portions -physician and nurse services- of palliative care. Some insurers may even cover social work. Unlike the comprehensive hospice benefit, there is no comprehensive palliative care benefit. Your palliative care provider will help you answer this question.
How do I find a palliative care provider?
For specific information in your area, consult your doctor or call your local hospital or hospice.
Many hospices now offer palliative care programs.
Visit PHPCN Find A Provider to locate a Palliative Care Provider in your area.
Useful links:
Palliative Care Brochure
Get Palliative Care
Get Palliative Care- Care Bridge