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Palliative Medicine is a program of specialized medical care for people with serious and life-limiting illnesses. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and other specialists work with the patient's other doctors to focus on providing relief from the stress and symptoms associated with the serious or life-limiting illness. The primary aim of Palliative Medicine is to improve quality of life for patients and their families.
Trinity Health’s Palliative Medicine team provides care for people confronted with any serious or life-limiting condition, such as:
- Cancer
- Chronic pulmonary illness
- Cardiac condition
- Renal disease
- Liver disease
- Progressive neurological illness such as ALS or acute devastating neurologic injury
- Severe vascular insufficiency with concern for amputation
Services include:
- Patient- and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life
- Management of difficult symptoms related to the serious/life-limiting illness
- Collaboration/communication with non-palliative healthcare providers regarding patient care needs
- Emotional, psychological, and spiritual support for the patient and family
Can I still receive treatment for my condition?
Yes. Palliative Medicine team members work in concert with the patient’s other caregivers to complement treatment goals and help the patient live a more satisfactory life while confronting their illness.
Do insurance plans cover palliative care?
Many do cover all or part of Palliative Medicine services. Part of our role is to help patients address these concerns by drawing on social services expertise from our own team and Trinity’s Case Management Department.
How are Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care related?
While both are concerned with easing symptoms and maintaining maximum quality of life, Palliative Medicine is for anyone with a serious or life-limiting illness, regardless of whether they are receiving treatment for their condition. Hospice is for people who are in the last six months of a terminal illness.
