A difficult diagnosis doesn’t automatically mean discomfort and suffering. Palliative care provides relief from the symptoms of serious illness and the side effects of treatment to get you through this challenging time as comfortably as possible. Contact Compassus today at 833.380.9583 for more information about palliative care services and how we can help you and your loved ones.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a type of medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses. It is provided by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who specialize in pain and symptom management, as well as emotional, spiritual, and social support for patients and their families. Palliative care provides physical, psychological, and spiritual relief to those suffering from serious illnesses and is often offered in conjunction with curative treatments.Â
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and is often provided in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and other care facilities. It can also be provided at home or in the community for those receiving end-of-life care. Palliative care improves the quality of life for patients, as well as their families and loved ones, by providing relief from pain and other symptoms and emotional support during difficult times.
Palliative care is an extra layer of support for you and your family. It offers relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness while supporting your desire to remain in your home. Palliative care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many other insurance policies.
Signs Your Loved One Should Be Offered Palliative Care
There will be signs someone is ready for palliative care. When you and your family are facing a serious or life-limiting illness, it is important to consider beginning palliative care. Palliative care is not just for end-of-life care; it can be beneficial at any stage of a serious illness. It works in tandem with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, to provide the best possible care.
Signs that a patient may be ready for palliative care include the following:
- Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits (two or more in a six-month period)
- Uncontrolled symptoms like pain, dyspnea, depression, fatigue, etc., despite optimal medical management
- A person has entered the end-stage of a life-limiting illness such as dementia, central nervous system disease, cancer, renal disease, COPD, heart failure, liver disease, septic shock, or major trauma
- Functional decline, including unexplained weight loss, loss of mobility, frequent falls, skin breakdown, etc.
- A permanent feeding tube is being considered
If you believe your loved one may be ready for palliative care, call us for a no-obligation consultation. We can arrange for an assessment by a medical director or a nurse with specialized training.
Your Palliative Care Team
Your palliative care team is here to support you and your family during this difficult time. They provide specialized medical care that focuses on relieving the symptoms, pain, stress, and emotional concerns of serious illness. The palliative care team works with your other doctors to provide comprehensive care that fits your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. They can help you manage your symptoms and make decisions about care, as well as provide emotional and spiritual support to you and your family.Â
Your palliative care team will include the following:
- Palliative care doctors and specialists
- A social worker
- A chaplain
- Potentially neighborhood volunteersÂ
The palliative care team can also help coordinate communication with your other doctors, enabling you to get the best possible care. Your palliative care team is here to listen and provide compassionate support throughout your journey. It will be a support network for you and your family during this challenging time.
Learn More About Palliative Care at Compassus
Our palliative care specialists at Compassus are here to help and support you and your family every step of the way after a difficult diagnosis. Call us at 833.380.9583 or fill out our online form so we can address your questions and concerns about beginning palliative care.
