How can palliative care help me?

Palliative care helps improve quality of life for patients experiencing serious illness. Care is focused on the whole person and addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs of each individual. Palliative care is also centered on the family, ensuring everyone receives the support they need.
Palliative care providers help you and your family understand your illness better, with education about the disease process and information about the benefits and burdens of treatment so that you can make informed decisions about your care. The palliative care team can assist you in completing important documents such as advance health care directives and POLST forms.
Palliative care providers also focus on symptom management, reducing pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue and many other symptoms of serious illness. Social workers and nurse case managers will help you and your family understand options for continued care after hospital discharge and refer you to community resources. If you and your family wish spiritual support our hospital chaplains are available to help.