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, but instead our Board Certified, Nurse Practitioners 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?
