Pain. Depression. Anxiety. Fatigue. Nausea. Loss of appetite. Difficulty sleeping. If you are facing a serious illness, you may be experiencing these and other symptoms that are affecting your quality of life. And not only your quality of life, but also that of family members who may be helping to care for you. What you may not know is that there is specialized medical care called palliative care that can offer comfort to everyone in your circle.
What is Palliative Care?
The purpose of palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is to relieve both the symptoms and stress of illness so you can enjoy the best possible quality of life. It is appropriate for people of all ages in any stage of a serious illness.
Besides helping with symptoms, palliative care can help you and your family understand your choices for medical treatment and help you match those choices to your personal goals. They will also make sure all of your doctors fully understand your preferences, so your care plan reflects your values.
How it Works
After discussing your wants and needs, a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and specialists, such as social workers, nutritionists and chaplains, work together with your current doctors to provide an extra layer of support. This may include:
- Symptom management
- Answering questions you may have about your disease and diagnosis
- Helping you navigate your options and make medical decisions
- Supporting you and your loved ones in coping with your illness
- Coordinating with your other doctors to ensure they understand your wishes, giving you more control over your care
Is Palliative Care Right for You?
Palliative care may be the right choice for you if you have a serious illness such as: cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and many others.
Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness. You can also have this type of care at the same time as treatment meant to cure you.
Is Palliative Care the Same as Hospice or End-of-Life Care?
There are important differences between palliative care and hospice care. While both approaches are intended to alleviate suffering and provide personalized medical, emotional and spiritual support, palliative care is specialized medical care based on your needs, not your prognosis—the likely course of your disease.
Patients are encouraged to seek palliative care early in their illness; however, it may be beneficial at any stage. And as mentioned above, you can receive palliative care at the same time you receive curative treatments. This is very different from hospice, which is a separate insurance benefit for people whose medical care shifts to focus on their comfort and quality of life, rather than on treatments to prolong life.
Will Insurance Cover Palliative Care?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or part of palliative care.
Where is Palliative Care Offered?
Palliative care is available in the hospital on inpatient units, in outpatient facilities, and in your home. Talk to your doctor about options that are offered through your care facility and together, you can start making the best plan for you.