What is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care is specialized medical care that focuses on improving quality of life and comfort when facing a serious illness or complex medical decisions.

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Palliative patients can continue to receive curative treatment. The expertise provided by our team helps patients manage symptoms, plan ahead, and avoid hospital and emergency room visits.

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What is the difference between Hospice and Palliative Care?

The goals of both hospice and palliative care are very similar: to relieve symptoms of a serious illness, provide comfort from pain, and improve quality of life for the patient and family. Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care delivered when a patient has a prognosis of six months or less and is no longer seeking curative treatment.

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Where do patients receive palliative care and who provides it?

Palliative care can be provided in a number of different settings. The choice of settings is up to the patient and family. Providers are an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, home health aides, pharmacists and others who will tend to the patient no matter what setting they choose.  Palliative care can be delivered in a nursing home, at the hospital, or at home. The palliative team provides regular visits and are generally available around the clock for concerns as they come up.

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Who pays for Palliative Care?

Palliative care is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance.  However, every insurance plan may be different.  You may contact your insurance company or a member of the Wellness team to help determine coverage.

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If you think Palliative Care might be right for you, your family member, or your patient, or if you have questions about the referral process, please call us at 215-550-1938.