It’s a special type of health care for individuals, patients, and families facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice Palliative Care helps patients to achieve the best possible quality of life right up until the end of life. Palliative Care is also called end-of-life or comfort care. Palliative Care does not necessarily end when someone has died. Family members may need support as they grieve the loss of a loved one and try to manage numerous strains and stresses. Bereavement programs are often part of the comprehensive care offered as part of palliative care.
Traditional Palliative Care provision starts after diagnosis and at the exhaustion of all life prolonging or curative treatments, to help manage symptoms and increase quality of life close to the end of life; early Palliative Care, however, is started at the point of diagnosis to engage in relationship building with a health care team, addressing symptoms, coping, providing information, engaging with family, exploring treatments and supporting with end of life planning.
For more information about Palliative Care Program, call the Home Health Service Line at 1-855-412-2121.
