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Palliative care is a medical specialty focused on treating the stresses of both patients and their families who are living with a serious, often life-threatening illness. For anyone who has suffered with such an illness, or has walked alongside a loved one with a serious illness, this patient-centered coordinated care can be a lifesaver. Palliative care is offered as a consult service in which care is coordinated with the patients primary physician(s).Palliative care provides medical care for troubling symptoms of disease, as well as support for the patients practical, emotional, and spiritual needs as well. While the other physicians focus on treating the disease, palliative care seeks to treat the whole person and improve the stress or suffering caused by the disease. Palliative care practitioners are specialists in symptom management, treating pain, nausea, lack of appetite, fatigue, worry and depression. Palliative care specialists can serve as guides through the health care system, helping patients and families with tough medical decisions, advance care planning, caregiver support, and planning for resources to help people stay independent as long as possible. Care often begins in the hospital when a diagnosis of a serious illness is made and continues to wherever a patient calls home, whether a private residence, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. Some common illnesses for which people request palliative care consultation are: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, dementia, kidney disease, and cancer. Patients with multiple diagnoses of diseases find palliative care services extremely helpful as they navigate the healthcare system.
Some of the benefits of seeking palliative care to help with a serious illness are: pain and symptom management, coordination of care between multiple health care providers, counseling during emotionally difficult times, advanced care planning to communicate your health care wishes to family and medical teams, and spiritual support. Palliative care physician services are normally covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. Other non-profit providers of palliative care may provide additional services funded by grants, fundraising, and community support. Dr. John Morris is the vice president of clinical outreach and the palliative care medical director at Four Seasons Compassion for Life. Four Seasons is the largest non-profit end-of-life care provider in Western North Carolina. For more information on palliative care or other services of Four Seasons, call 828-692-6178 or visit the website at www.FourSeasonsCFL.org. Helpful resources for family caregivers may also be found at www.seriousillness.org/fourseasons. (Image provided by Four Seasons Compassion for Life.)
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Many people mistakenly believe that palliative care is only for patients who are terminally ill; however, palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness, along with curative/life-prolonging treatments for a disease. The goal of palliative care is to maximize support and help people achieve the best quality of life, and when possible, prolong life.