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What is Palliative Care? | What is Palliative care and what are its goals?

Palliative Care

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care, and the medical specialty of Palliative Medicine, is specialized medical care that provides relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both you and your family.

Palliative care is provided by a team of specialists, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.

Palliative care at Essence makes all the difference. Here’s what you can expect.

At Essence, our Palliative care team of specialists includes physicians, nurses and social workers. Together with your own doctor, we make sure that you receive:

  • Relief from symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, numbness, problems with sleep and much more
  • In-depth communication with you and your family about your goals, your concerns and your treatment options – and how to match your goals with those options
  • Coordination of your care among all your health care providers
  • Improved ability to tolerate medical treatments and the side effects of the disease
  • Improved ability to carry on with daily life
  • Emotional, practical and spiritual support for you and your family

What is Palliative care and what are its goals?

Palliative care is a resource for anyone living with a serious illness, such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), cancer, dementia, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others. It is specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. Patients can continue to receive curative and therapeutic care such as chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis and surgery while receiving palliative care.

Getting Palliative care is easy, just ask for it

You may already have been referred to the Palliative care team, but if not, you can ask your doctor for a referral. We work together with your primary doctor and healthcare team.