Let’s Talk Palliative Care
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is specialized medical care focused on improving the quality of life for people living with serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses. It is designed to address the whole person, including their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. It also offers vital support for families and caregivers, helping them navigate complex decisions and cope with the challenges of serious illness. In short, Palliative Care is about living as fully and comfortably as possible while managing the effects of a serious or chronic illness.
How can I or a loved one receive Palliative Care?
Palliative Care consultation can occur in the inpatient, clinic, infusion, or home setting. You may start this conversation with your primary care provider, social worker, or specialty provider, or you can self-refer by contacting the Crossing Rivers Health Primary Care Clinic to discuss a consultation with the palliative care team. Call the Crossing Rivers Health Primary Care Clinic at 608-357-2500.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Palliative Care and Hospice Care both focus on comfort, quality of life, and support for people living with chronic or serious illnesses. Still, they are provided at different stages of illness and have different goals. Palliative care can start at any stage of illness, from the time of diagnosis onward. It can be provided alongside treatments intended to cure or prolong life (such as chemotherapy, dialysis, or surgery). Transition to Hospice Care happens when you are no longer seeking curative treatment and are typically near the final phase of life. Both Palliative and Hospice Care prioritize quality of life, dignity, and compassionate support for patients and families.
Chronic Care Management
Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Palliative Care often work hand in hand to improve the quality of life for those living with long-term or serious illnesses. When combined with Palliative Care, individuals receive an even higher level of support that focuses on both medical coordination and symptom relief. The CCM program is designed for people with two or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or arthritis. It provides ongoing care coordination between the palliative team, primary care provider, and an interdisciplinary team to help patients manage their conditions effectively and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
Support provided by Palliative Care
Palliative care offers a comprehensive layer of support for individuals living with chronic illnesses. The goal is to enhance comfort, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Symptom Management
Palliative Care specializes in controlling symptoms that often accompany serious illness, such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, sleep disturbances, constipation, or other treatment-related side effects.
Medication Management
The Palliative Care team reviews all current medications to ensure they are effective and necessary for symptom relief and disease management. They also ensure medications are safe, with minimal side effects and drug interactions. Medications are simplified to help patients manage complex regimens more easily. The team collaborates closely with primary care providers and specialists to adjust doses or discontinue medications as conditions change.
Advance Care Planning
Palliative Care helps patients and families understand their options and make informed decisions about future Care, including clarifying goals and values related to treatment choices, discussing advanced directives, living wills, and health care power of attorney. Our team supports open conversations between patients, families, and care teams. This planning ensures that Care aligns with the patient’s wishes and that families feel confident and supported in making decisions.
Palliative Care provides expert symptom control, thoughtful medication oversight, and compassionate guidance in planning for the future, helping individuals live as comfortably, clearly, and confidently as possible throughout their health journey.
Learn more about Palliative Care at crossingrivers.org/palliativecare