What is palliative care?
From early on in your patient experience, you may hear the terms “palliative or supportive care.” Palliative care is an additional layer of supportive therapy—one that is designed to help you manage issues that affect your quality of life. Palliative care addresses patients’ needs with symptom control and can address issues on psychological, social, and spiritual levels.
Although this type of care has been strongly associated with end of life care (also known as hospice care), it is important to note that palliative care is available any time and not limited to patients with advanced cancers. Palliative care had been found to improve quality of life and lengthen patients’ lives. If you would like to meet with a palliative care specialist, ask to see one. You do not need to wait.
in your patient experience, you may hear the terms “palliative or supportive care.” Palliative care is an additional layer of supportive therapy—one that is designed to help you manage issues that affect your quality of life. Palliative care addresses patients’ needs with symptom control and can address issues on psychological, social, and spiritual levels.
Although this type of care has been strongly associated with end of life care (also known as hospice care), it is important to note that palliative care is available any time and not limited to patients with advanced cancers. Palliative care had been found to improve quality of life and lengthen patients’ lives. If you would like to meet with a palliative care specialist, ask to see one. You do not need to wait.
How can I be referred? When do I see my supportive care team?
It depends on the type of help you are seeking. Palliative care specialists work with your healthcare team to determine how to best help you. In general, these specialists can help with understanding the complicated decisions and challenges involved in living with cancer.
Your palliative care/supportive care team may include (but is not limited to):
- Palliative care physicians & nurses
- Social workers
- Primary medical team
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Spiritual counselors
- Psychologists and counselors
- Nutritionist/dietitian
- Speech-language pathologist
- Clinical pharmacist
Side effects?
Palliative care can include working with a dietician
Spiritual support?
Palliative care can include working with a chaplain
Emotional support?
Palliative care can include working with social workers and counselors
Managing pain?
Palliative care can include working with a specialized palliative care physician