WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?
- The purpose of palliative care is to provide patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness. Receiving palliative care does not necessarily mean you’re dying and does not replace your primary treatment. Palliative care does not take the place of your primary-care physician; our team works alongside your provider. The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible and improve your quality of life.
Is Palliative Care Right For You?
- Do you have one or more of these serious illnesses? Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke, COPD, ALS, Emphysema, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Congestive Heart Failure, Liver or Kidney Disease, Dementia, any serious progressive illness.
- Do you have symptoms that make it difficult to be as active as you would like to be, or impact your quality of life? These symptoms might include: pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, anxiety, depression, lack of appetite, nausea or constipation.
- Have you experienced the following: difficult side effects from treatment, eating problems due to a serious illness, frequent emergency room visits, three or more admissions to the hospital within 12 months and with the same symptoms?
- Do you need help with: knowing what to expect, knowing what programs and resources are available, making medical decisions about treatment choices/options, matching your goals and values to your medical care, understanding the pros and cons (benefits/burdens) of treatments (e.g., dialysis, additional cancer treatments, surgery, etc.)?
- Do you need help with: coping with the stress of a serious illness, emotional support, spiritual or religious support, talking with your family about your illness and what is important to you?
