​What to Expect

Palliative Care team members provide medical, emotional and spiritual support through our nursing staff, social workers and chaplains. We help with symptoms of illnesses, including pain, sleep problems or shortness of breath. Team members lead discussions with patients and family members about ongoing care and provide education about medical treatments

In addition, Palliative Care can also refer patients to outside resources that can help, such as Cancer Navigators  or counselors.

Palliative Care begins in the hospital setting, but it does not end there. Our program assists with transitions of care as you are discharged. Working with you, your family, social workers and care coordinators, we help find best possible setting for continued care. This ensures that you are connected to the resources needed to take the next step in caring for your health. 

Accepting palliative care services does not mean abandoning aggressive treatment, nor should it be confused with end-of-life or hospice care.

Instead, it means you will receive additional support including:

• Education about your medical condition.
• Tools to help you decide on treatments
• Education about possible medical procedures
• Management of difficult physical symptoms
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Referrals to ongoing care resources

Managing Physical Symptoms

Many chronic and serious diseases or illnesses have symptoms or side effects from treatments that can make you feel sick or uncomfortable. We work with your doctors and nurses to help manage these symptoms and side effects, including the following:

• Pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Shortness of breath
• Sleep disruption
• Sadness or discouragement

Emotional and Spiritual Support

It is not uncommon for patients with a serious diagnosis to feel stressed out or anxious, and this can impact overall health. We help identify the biggest stressors and take steps to minimize or remove them. These stressors may be financial, social, spiritual, family-related or from a lack of understanding. Once identified, we work with you, your family and health care team to address them using a variety of means, including:

• Chaplain services
• Conflict resolution
• Legal resources referral
• Financial counseling

Contact

Palliative Care services are available anytime day or night. A patient most often receives a doctor's order for a palliative care referral. For more information or help getting a referral, call 706-509-​5115.