Palliative care during serious illness
Palliative care manages symptoms, pain and stress that you or your loved one may experience with serious illness. Palliative care supplements medical treatment and, if needed, allows for a smooth transition to hospice services.
With palliative care, a team of experts from multiple medical specialties work together to address the complex needs of the seriously ill patient and his or her family members. This collaboration results in a comprehensive care plan to treat the whole person by offering medical, emotional and spiritual support.
In addition, palliative care typically:
- Opens discussions about treatment choices, including treatment for diseases and management of symptoms.
- Assists with discussions concerning goals of care and advance directives
- Eases transitions between healthcare settings
- Offers compassionate family support
