Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Palliative Care is right for me?
Palliative care may be right for you if you have a serious disease. Serious diseases or illness include but are not limited to: cancer, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, stroke patients, Alzheimer’s, and many more. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness. You can also have this type of care at the same time as treatment meant to cure you.
What does the Palliative Care team do?
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. It is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. The goal is to improve your quality of life.
To do this, the palliative care team will:
- Relieve your symptoms and distress
- Help you better understand your disease and diagnosis
- Help clarify your treatment goals and options
- Understand and support your ability to cope with your illness
- Assist you with making medical decision
- Coordinate with your other doctors
One of the services offered to patients under Palliative Medicine is Advance Care Planning. This involves providing information about the kinds of treatments available to improve a patient’s quality of life and deciding in advance which treatment the patient may want based on his or her own personal values and preferences. A patient facing serious illness may also opt not to undergo curative treatment anymore but will be offered a biopsychosocial approach that will provide comfort. At the end of the day, the team will support the decision of the patient and guide them every step pf the way, IN THEIR OWN TERMS. With advance care planning, patients and families will have more control over the medical care with a set of clear goals and a good communication system.
Who are Palliative Care specialists?
- Physicians who are board certified in this specialty
- Services provided for patients and their families with moderate to high complexity of palliative care need, delivered by health care professionals who are palliative care specialists.
What can I expect from palliative care?
In short, you can expect that your quality of life will be improved. You will have relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. You can also expect close communication and more control over your care.
Palliative care will help you carry on with daily life. It will improve your ability to go through medical treatments. And it will help you to match your goals to your treatment choices.
Do I have to give up my own doctor?
No. The palliative care team provides an extra layer of support and works in partnership with your primary doctor.
Can I have curative treatment together with Palliative Care?
Yes, absolutely. Your treatment choices are up to you. You can have palliative care at the same time as treatment meant to cure you. Who else, besides the patient, can benefit? Everyone involved! Patients as well as family caregivers are the special focus of palliative care. Your doctors and nurses benefit too, because they know they are meeting your needs by providing care and treatment that reduces your suffering and improves your quality of life.
Where do I get Palliative Care?
Palliative care is available outside of the hospital in the places where you live. Check our directory.
You, your doctor and the palliative care team can discuss outpatient palliative care or palliative care at home. Some hospitals also offer outpatient palliative care even if you have not been in the hospital. Check with your doctor. These include hospitals, outpatient clinics and at home.
Who provides Palliative Care?
A team of specialists, including palliative medicine board certified doctors and palliative nurses provide this type of care.
How does Palliative Care help me choose the best treatment option?
The palliative care team will also spend time talking and listening to you and your family. They will make sure you completely understand all of your treatment options and choices. By deeply exploring your personal goals, the palliative care team will help you match those goals to the options. They will also make sure that all of your doctors are coordinated and know and understand what you want. This gives you more control over your care.
When should I ask for Palliative Care?
You can have it at any age and any stage of an illness, but early in your illness is recommended.
Recent cancer guidelines say that cancer patients should receive palliative care early and together with their other treatments. People who are newly diagnosed with advanced cancer should receive a palliative care consult within 8 weeks of their diagnosis.
How do I get Palliative Care?
Ask for it! You have to start by talking with your doctor or nurse. Check our directory here.