Palliative Care Partners

Palliative care is health care for individuals of any age who have a chronic, life-limiting illness. The goal of palliative care is to ease pain and distressing symptoms while also providing support to the patient and family. The Palliative Care team works with a patient’s primary healthcare provider to determine the best medical plan of care.

How can Palliative Care Partners help?

When you are in the midst of a chronic illness, you need answers, relief, expertise, and support. Our team can help make sure that all of your concerns are addressed.

Working closely with your primary doctor, we provide:

  • Expert treatment of pain and symptoms
  • Close communication and compassionate care
  • Guidance with difficult treatment choices
  • Detailed practical information and assistance
  • Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family

    What Can I Expect From Palliative Care?

  • Relief from distressing symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping
  • Improved ability to carry on with your daily life
  • Improved ability to tolerate medical treatments
  • Better understanding of your condition and your choices for medical care

    Is Palliative Care the same as Hospice Care?

    No. hospice care is meant specifically for those approaching the last stages of life, while palliative care is appropriate for any stage of a serious, chronic illness.

    The aim of Palliative Care Partners is to assist and empower patients and families in making decisions that enable them to work toward their own goals in the pursuit of ongoing care. Our medical staff promote communication between families, attending physicians, and other medical specialties, thereby helping patients and their families to better understand their medical needs and options of care.

    Everybody has different goals and wishes. Some questions the palliative doctor and other team members may ask include:

  • How can we help you live well?
  • What makes you happy?
  • What activities or experiences would you like to do or continue doing so that you feel you are living well?
  • Are there any special events or activities that you are looking forward to?
  • What are your fears or worries about your illness or medical care?
  • What needs or services would you like to discuss?
  • What do you hope for your family and loved ones?
  • What keeps you going when life’s challenges seem overwhelming?
  • Do you have religious or spiritual needs that are important to you?
  • In what way do you feel you could make this time especially meaningful to you?

    How Do You Receive Payment?

    Medicare Part B has made great strides in the past year recognizing this sub-specialty and acknowledging that Hospice Care under Medicare Part A and Palliative Care under Medicare Part B are two separate services. Most patients fall under Medicare coverage. Medicare regulations require that we bill the patient for their share or co-payment. Financial assistance may be available upon request for those demonstrating a financial need.

    How Can I Get Palliative Care?

    Please ask your primary doctor for a referral to our Palliative Care Partners program and that they mail or fax your medical records to our office so that our medical team can review them prior to your first visit.

    A member of our medical team will meet with you and your family and work closely with your doctor to assist you with the symptoms related to your illness. We can help you whether you are in the hospital, assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility, or home.

    Learn More. . .

    8 Facts to Know about Palliative Care.pdf
    GetPCHandout.pdf
    Quick Facts: Your Quality of Life
    Speaking To Your Doctor

    If you are interested in more information, please contact:

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