Understanding Palliative Care

Palliative care offers comprehensive treatment for the pain, discomfort, and stress of chronic illnesses. We work in partnership with your primary treatment in order to mitigate pain and improve your life's quality.

The need for palliative care does not necessarily mean that you are dying. The function of palliative care is to address uncomfortable or painful symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea, loss of appetite, and others.

Both children and adults living with illnesses such as cancer, lung or heart disease, kidney failure, cystic fibrosis, AIDS, and other illnesses may face both physical and emotional discomfort related to the illness. You may need palliative care if you suffer from pain related to your illness, have pain that is not under control, or if you need help understanding and managing your illness.

You can receive care in your home, at the hospital, or at outpatient clinics. You will start the process by receiving a referral from your health care provider.

Most insurance plans cover palliative services. Medicaid and Medicare will typically cover these expenses. If you have any questions or concerns about the cost of care, a care manager, social worker, or financial adviser at your clinic can help.

If you have any pain related to your illness that is not relieved by over the counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, your palliative team may recommend prescription medications. ​ Your team will work to educate you on different pain management approaches, as well as medication education, so that you will understand how your medications work and if there are any side effects.