Palliative care

About palliative care

Palliative care is a medical specialty available to patients with complicated, serious, or advanced illness. It is comprehensive, interdisciplinary care focused on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care interventions can be provided along with life-prolonging treatment or as the primary focus of care.

A team of professionals work together, focusing on the person as a whole throughout an illness. The palliative care team consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical social workers, pastoral counselors, dietitians and others who are dedicated to ensuring that patients’ and families’ goals are met. Click here to download a brochure.

Who is appropriate for palliative care?

Any patient who is diagnosed with a complex, serious medical illness may be referred to palliative care, regardless of their age or stage of illness. The palliative care team works with patients and families to provide support managing difficult symptoms, advanced care planning, and determining goals of care while assuring physical comfort and psychosocial support. In addition, the team can work with you to explore options for continuation of palliative services after discharge.

Palliative care team members are specifically trained to assist patients, families, and the medical team members in understanding all treatment options as they relate to the patient’s goals and definition of quality of life.

Is palliative care the same as hospice care?

No. Many times patients, families, and healthcare providers think palliative care and hospice are one and the same. Palliative care is intended to support patients and families managing symptoms and burdens of illness, no matter where they are in their illness process. However, hospice provides end-of-life care for patients suffering from advanced illness in the last six months of life or who have chosen not to pursue curative treatment.

	Palliative care	Hospice care
Patients served	Patients of any age, at any stage of complex illness	Patients of any age in the last six months of life
Services provided	Throughout illness and simultaneously with other treatment	At the end of life and when curative treatment is not desired or effective
	Comprehensive, coordinated pain and symptom control, care of psychological and spiritual needs, family support, and assistance in making transitions between care settings	Comprehensive, coordinated pain and symptom control, care of psychological and spiritual needs, family support, and assistance in making transitions between care settings
	Advanced care planning congruent with patient goals	Bereavement care for loved ones
Key differences	Program is open to all seriously ill patients, not just those with a six-month prognosis	Six-month prognosis required by Medicare and other funders. Coverage includes outpatient medications and supplies. Efforts to cure or prolong life are not covered
	Patients do not have to forego curative care
	Palliative care team coordinates care from a variety of healthcare providers, including specialists and primary care physicians to prevent service fragmentation

How we can help

What types of illnesses is palliative care appropriate for?

Palliative care is appropriate for any illness that causes long-term pain and discomfort and/or for a chronic condition that causes periodic symptoms.

Cancer
Heart Disease/CHF
Respiratory Disease/COPD
Renal Disease/Failure
HIV/AIDS
Chronic Liver Disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Alzheimer’s Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

What types of symptoms is palliative care appropriate for?

Patients may seek palliative care to treat common symptoms.

Shortness of breath
Nausea/vomiting
Diarrhea/constipation
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Depression or anxiety
Emotional and/or spiritual distress

How do I get a palliative care referral?

The first step is to ask your primary care provider for a palliative care consultation. If your primary care provider agrees that palliative care is right for you at this time, our scheduler will contact you to confirm that you’d like to move forward, schedule the visit, explain next steps and answer any questions you may have.

What happens next?

A nurse practitioner (NP) will review your medical record prior to visiting you. During your in-person palliative care consultation, the NP will confirm your medical history, conduct a full examination and physical assessment, discuss the importance of advance directives, identify your goals of care regarding future treatments and collaborate with you on a plan involving your loved ones to meet those goals. If you are experiencing symptoms related to your serious illness, the NP will collaborate with your care team to develop recommendations for improved symptom palliation.

How many palliative care visits will I receive?

There is no set number. Because palliative care is so highly individual, the number of visits depends on your needs based on symptom management and/or goals of care. In addition, a health coach will contact you regularly to ensure your well-being, address any issues and answer any questions or concerns that may arise. We are always here for you!

A partnership of care

Our care team acts as consultants, providing treatment and medication recommendations for aggressive pain and symptom management. Together, the entire team works in collaboration with the patient’s physician to ensure optimum care coordination.

Physicians board certified in hospice and palliative care
Nurse practitioners with extensive experience in symptom management
Registered Dietitian for nutrition evaluation and recommendations
Social workers who are knowledgeable about the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that often accompany an advanced illness
Specialized Goals of Care nurse to identify an support patient goals

Palliative care, wherever you call home

Most palliative care services are available in homes, hospitals, long-term care and assisted living facilities. Palliative care is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance providers, but we recommend you contact your insurance company to find out about any possible copays or deductibles.

Press Releases

Ellie's Story

Lawrence, Mass. – Author Eleanor Gustafson has explored the theme of death in all of her six books and assorted short stories, with some characters coping with its meaning and […]