How Palliative Care Can Help Patients of All Ages
Palliative care is provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Our experts work with each patient and their family to improve quality of life by managing pain and other side effects of treatment. The benefits of palliative care include:
- Improved quality of life and ability to carry out daily activities
- May extend life expectancy
- Improves symptoms of pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, constipation and problems sleeping
- Helps patients find ways to cope with physical side effects of treatment
- Help relieve the anxiety, stress and depression that often occur with a major illness
- Helps patients and their loved ones with decision-making goals for care
- Provides emotional and spiritual support
Making the Decision to Receive Palliative Care
If you or your loved one answer yes to any or all of these questions, then palliative care may be helpful.
- Do you have a serious illness?
- Do you need help controlling your pain?
- Do you need relief from symptoms and side effects of treatment?
- Do you need emotional and spiritual support?
- Do you need help with daily activities?
- Do you need help planning for the future?
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
- Is palliative care the same as hospice care?
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No. Palliative care can help anyone with a serious illness regardless of their age or prognosis. Hospice care is for terminally ill people in the last six months of life.
- Who provides palliative care?
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The palliative care team may include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, pharmacists, chaplains, spiritual counselors and others. Each person’s team will vary based on their needs, preferences and level of care needed. The team works with your doctors to create a plan to manage symptoms, decrease pain and enhance quality of life.
- Can’t my doctor provide palliative care? Why do I need a special team?
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Your doctor can and should talk with you about your illness, prognosis and goals of care. However, many people find it helpful to work with a palliative care team because they can provide extra support, make plans to manage symptoms and improve communication among care team members.
- How can you get palliative care?
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Talk to your doctor or nurse and ask them to refer you to a palliative care specialist.
Schedule a Palliative Care Consultation
If you or a loved one is being treated for a serious illness, the palliative care experts at University Hospitals can help. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 216-983-5636.