Palliative Care
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious
illness. This type of care is
focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness.
The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses,
social workers and chaplains who work together with a patient’s
other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is
based on the
needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate
at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided
along with curative treatment.
The Palliative Care Team Will Work To:
- Establish an environment that promotes your cultural, spiritual and religious needs.
- Engage you and your family to participate in the medical decision making process.
- Educate you and your family in an effort to promote understanding of the disease process and the expected future course of your illness.
- Develop a plan of care that promotes your quality of life and maintains the dignity you deserve.
- Relieve your pain and symptoms.
- Coordinate your care among your healthcare providers.
Who Is My Palliative Care Team?
- Physician will manage the pain and symptoms associated with your disease. He/She will also discuss your disease progression, review treatment options and help you develop goals of care.
- Nurse works closely with the palliative care physician and communicates your goals to your hospital nursing team. Keeps you informed to make important decisions about your care while providing you with resources and education.
- Social Worker is here to provide emotional support to you and your family as you cope with a new diagnosis or progression of an advanced disease. He/She can assist you with advance care planning and provide valuable resources for you and your family.
- Chaplain is available to both you and your family for spiritual support and prayer. Provides spiritual resources to those of any faith and coordinates visits from your faith community upon request.
How to contact the Palliative Care Team
For
non emergent questions or concerns contact the Palliative Care team at
909.630.7325.
For
after hours or emergencies ask your Nurse to contact the Palliative Care physician.
