Understanding Palliative Care at Care Partners Hospice Inc.

Services Provided by Palliative Care

Palliative care addresses the physical, social, and spiritual distress that often accompanies serious illnesses, working in conjunction with the patient's existing medical treatments. The care is provided by a palliative team consisting of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, all specializing in pain and symptom management.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care offers relief from the symptoms and stress caused by disease or injury. It aims to improve comfort and quality of life through "palliation" of symptoms without curing the underlying disease. Unlike curative treatments, palliative care can begin at diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond.

Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care

While both palliative and hospice care provide symptom relief, their contexts differ:

• Hospice Care is specifically for patients who are in the final six months of life, replacing curative treatment with comfort care.
• Palliative Care can be provided at any time during a patient's illness, alongside curative treatments, and is not limited to end-of-life scenarios.

Goals of Palliative Care

The main objectives of palliative care include:

• Aligning treatment with the patient’s values and preferences.
• Enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families.
• Reducing pain and discomfort.
• Addressing emotional and spiritual concerns.
• Providing necessary support for daily living activities and safety.
• Empowering patients and caregivers to make informed decisions about care.

The Palliative Care Team

Palliative care at Care Partners Hospice Inc. is delivered by an interdisciplinary team that may include:

• Physicians and nurse practitioners who conduct clinical evaluations.
• Nurses who specialize in symptom management.
• Social workers and chaplains who provide emotional and spiritual support.
• Volunteers who offer companionship and non-medical support.

Benefits of Palliative Care

Palliative care helps manage physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and sleep disturbances. It also addresses emotional and psychological needs, offering counseling and support to cope with the challenges of a serious illness. Palliative care is proven to improve patient and family satisfaction, decrease perceptions of pain, and can positively impact survival rates.

What Does Palliative Care Include?

Initial consultations in palliative care focus on assessing the patient’s symptoms, needs, and preferences. Care plans may include medication adjustments, specialized nutrition, breathing techniques, and complementary therapies such as acupuncture to enhance comfort.

Duration of Palliative Care

Palliative care is not limited by time; it can be provided as long as necessary to help patients live better with their illness. It complements curative treatments and can continue if a patient’s condition improves or if they choose to halt hospice care.

Communicating with Healthcare Providers about Pallified Care

Care Partners Hospice Inc. ensures that patients and families have the support they need to address not only medical but also financial, legal, and emotional concerns. Our palliative care teams are trained to listen deeply, validate patient concerns, and tailor care plans that respect each patient’s unique situation and cultural background.

Palliative care is about more than managing illness—it's about caring for the whole person and their family, providing them with choices and supporting their journey wherever it may lead.