HOURS AND LOCATION
Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic: Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In-Patient Palliative Care Services: Available by request. Please ask your hospital-based provider for more information.
Parking: Parking is available in the upper patient parking area.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care, and the medical specialty of Palliative Medicine, is specialized medical care that provides relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. It does not replace your primary treatment; palliative care works together with the primary treatment you’re receiving. The goal is to prevent and ease suffering and improve quality of life for both you and your family. It is about caring for the patient, not just treating the disease.
How do you know if you need palliative care?
Many people living with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, among others, experience physical symptoms and emotional distress related to their diseases. Sometimes these symptoms are due to the medical treatments they are receiving.
Palliative Care services you can expect:
- Relief from symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, numbness, problems with sleep and much more
- In-depth communication with you and your family about your goals, your concerns and your treatment options—and how to match your goals with those options
- Coordination of your care among all your health care providers
- Improved ability to tolerate medical treatments and the side effects of the disease.
- Improved ability to carry on with daily life
- Emotional, practical, and spiritual support for you and your family
Begin palliative care early.
Palliative care occurs at the same time as all other treatments for your illness. There’s absolutely no reason to wait. In fact, some studies have shown that palliative care may extend life. Pain and other symptoms affect your quality of life, and stress can have a big impact on you and your family. The palliative care team can help.
Your insurance will cover palliative care.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care. It is handled like other medical services, such as oncology or cardiology.
Appointments
Appointments are by referral only. You may already have been referred to the palliative care team, but if not, you can ask your doctor for a referral. We work together with your primary doctor and health care team.
For more information, call the palliative care team at 970.384.4220. We welcome questions from patients and family members.
