Palliative Care

Palliative Care is appropriate for people at any stage of serious illness and is provided alongside treatments aimed at curing disease. A Palliative Care team includes a physician, advanced practice nurse, social worker and an optional chaplain. Palliative Care does not mean the patient is dying. It is not the same as Hospice. If/when there are no treatments left, the Palliative Care team can help transition to Hospice.

Depending on the needs and wishes of the patient and loved ones, Palliative Care is a team approach that may include:

Goals of care
Specialized social work
Pain management
Symptom management
Advanced practice nursing
Guidance for caregivers
Additional professional help
Hospice transition
Bereavement counseling
Optional chaplaincy

Source: "The Hospice Doctor's Widow, a journal", Jennifer A. O'Brien