Palliative care focuses on quality of life rather than prognosis, provided by a specially-trained interdisciplinary team who work together with a patient's existing doctors to provide an extra layer of support and symptom management.

• Available at any stage of serious illness, not just end-of-life
• Can be provided alongside curative treatments and therapies
• Interdisciplinary team approach with specialized training
• Focus on symptom management and quality of life improvement
• Communication support and care coordination services
• Family and caregiver support included in care plans

Need guidance finding the right palliative care services? Contact 1-833-NURSING for personalized assistance.

Palliative care offers numerous advantages that improve quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness, with studies showing patients who receive palliative care often live longer and experience better outcomes.

• Symptom Relief: Management of pain, nausea, shortness of breath
• Quality of Life: Focus on maintaining highest possible quality of life
• Care Coordination: Team communicates with all doctors
• Goal-Aligned Treatment: Helps match treatment choices to patient goals
• Family Support: Emotional, practical, and spiritual support
• Extended Survival: Studies show patients often live longer

Best for: Patients with serious illnesses who are still receiving curative treatments and can visit clinics or medical offices for appointments.

These programs provide comprehensive symptom management and support services through scheduled clinic visits, allowing patients to continue living at home while receiving specialized care.

• Regular clinic appointments with palliative care specialists
• Comprehensive symptom assessment and management
• Medication adjustments and pain management protocols
• Care coordination with oncologists and other specialists
• Advance care planning and goal-setting discussions
• Family meetings and caregiver education sessions

Best for: Hospitalized patients with serious illnesses requiring intensive symptom management and complex care coordination during medical crises.

Hospital-based palliative care teams provide consultation services and direct care for patients experiencing pain, complicated symptoms, or difficult treatment decisions.

• 24/7 availability for symptom crises and emergencies
• Pain and symptom management for complex medical conditions
• Family conferences and difficult conversation facilitation
• Discharge planning and care transition coordination
• Ethics consultation for complex medical decision-making
• Grief and bereavement support for families

Best for: Patients preferring to receive care in familiar home environments while managing serious illness symptoms and maintaining quality of life.

Home palliative care teams provide comprehensive services in the patient's residence, offering convenience and comfort while delivering professional medical care.

• Regular home visits by palliative care physicians and nurses
• 24/7 on-call support for symptom management crises
• Coordination with home health agencies and hospice services
• Medical equipment and supplies delivery and management
• Caregiver training and family support services
• Medication management and symptom monitoring

Consider palliative care consultation when you or your loved one experiences these common indicators suggesting specialized symptom management would be beneficial:

• Serious illness diagnosis: Cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease
• Uncontrolled symptoms: Pain, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue
• Complex treatment decisions: Need help understanding options
• Frequent hospitalizations: Multiple hospital visits for symptoms
• Caregiver stress: Family struggling with caregiving responsibilities
• Quality of life concerns: Illness significantly impacting daily life
• Communication needs: Difficulty discussing prognosis or goals
• Care coordination challenges: Multiple specialists requiring coordination

Professional Assessment Available: Call 1-833-NURSING to speak with our palliative care specialists about services available in your area.