Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right palliative care provider is important toto achieve your health goals. Below are the answers to frequently asked questions to help you make the best decision. If you have additional questions, we’re available to answer those.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care specializes in relieving the discomfort people with serious illnesses experience. The ultimate aim is to relieve uncomfortable symptoms and restore the person's quality of life as they recover from their condition. Palliative care may be provided at the same time as other treatments or therapies that seek to cure the illness. Using various methods, palliative care can optimize a person's recovery.
What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?
Both hospice care and palliative care focus on helping people who are seriously ill, but they have some key differences.
Palliative Care:
- Palliative care is like a big umbrella that covers anyone with a serious illness, no matter their age or how long they have left to live.
- The main goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families by managing symptoms like pain, nausea, and stress.
- People receiving palliative care can still be getting treatments to cure or control their illness, like chemotherapy or surgery.
- It can be provided at any stage of an illness, not just at the end of life.
Hospice Care:
- Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care, but it's more focused on helping people who are near the end of their life, often when they have about six months or less to live.
- The main goal of hospice care is to make patients as comfortable as possible in their last months, weeks, or days.
- Unlike palliative care, people in hospice have usually decided to stop pursuing treatments that aim to cure their illness.
- Hospice care is typically given in the patient's home, but it can also be provided in a hospice facility or a nursing home.
In summary, palliative care is a broader type of support for anyone dealing with a serious illness, and it can be given at any stage. Hospice care is a specific kind of palliative care that focuses on providing comfort and support in the final stages of life when a cure is no longer the main goal.
When is the right time to consider palliative care, and do I have to be at the end of life?
Palliative care is something to think about when someone is seriously sick, and the treatments they're getting might not be enough to cure them. It's like an extra layer of support to help improve their quality of life.
Here are some signs that it might be the right time to consider palliative care:
Serious Illness: When someone has a serious illness that's causing a lot of problems or discomfort, like cancer, heart disease, or a bad infection.
Symptoms and Side Effects: If the treatments for the illness are causing a lot of side effects or if there are symptoms like pain, nausea, or trouble breathing that need extra attention.
Hard Choices: When the person, along with their family and doctors, is facing tough decisions about what kind of treatment to continue and what might be best for their overall well-being.
Frequent Hospital Visits: If someone is going to the hospital a lot and the treatments aren't helping as much as everyone hoped, palliative care can be considered to make things more comfortable.
Remember, palliative care isn't just for the end of life—it can be started earlier in the course of an illness. It's all about making sure the person is as comfortable and supported as possible, no matter what stage their illness is in.
Can I continue curative treatments while receiving palliative care?
The goal of treatments is to get better. Palliative care makes you feel more comfortable while you're receiving treatments and includes things such as medicine, counseling, and other strategies to feel less pain, less tired, or less sick.
Palliative care helps to make receiving treatments to cure or control your illness easier.
How does palliative care address emotional and spiritual needs?
Certainly! Palliative care not only focuses on treating the physical symptoms of illness but also pays special attention to a person's emotional and spiritual well-being. Here's how it addresses these needs:
Emotional Support:
- Listening and Understanding: Palliative care teams include professionals who take the time to listen to the person's feelings, concerns, and fears. They try to understand what the person is going through.
- Counseling: Sometimes, patients and their families may feel overwhelmed or stressed. Palliative care may provide counseling to help them cope with emotions and navigate difficult decisions.
- Support Groups: Palliative care often connects people with others facing similar challenges. This sense of community and shared experience can provide comfort and emotional support.
Spiritual Support:
- Respecting Beliefs: Palliative care respects a person's spiritual or religious beliefs. Care providers aim to understand and honor these beliefs while providing care.
- Chaplain Services: Many palliative care teams include chaplains or spiritual counselors who can offer support, prayer, or discussions about faith and meaning.
- Creating a Peaceful Environment: Palliative care teams work to create a calm and peaceful environment, recognizing the importance of a person's spiritual well-being in their overall quality of life.
In summary, palliative care understands that people facing serious illnesses have emotional and spiritual needs as well. The care is designed not only to treat physical symptoms but also to provide comfort, understanding, and support for the emotional and spiritual aspects of a person's life.
Will insurance cover the cost of palliative care services?
Yes. Most insurance plans cover most or all the cost of palliative care, but it depends on the type of insurance you have. It's essential to check the details of your specific insurance plan and communicate with your insurance provider to understand what is covered and what you may need to pay for out of pocket and this is something we can help with.
Can I receive palliative care at home, or is it only provided in a hospital or office setting?
Sure, let's break down receiving palliative care in different settings:
At Home:
- Palliative care at home means that a team of healthcare professionals comes to your house to help you manage symptoms and make you more comfortable.
- It allows you to be in a familiar and comfortable environment, surrounded by your loved ones.
- The palliative care team may include nurses, doctors, social workers, and other experts who work together to address your needs.
- They can help with pain relief, emotional support, and assistance with daily activities.
In the Hospital:
- If someone is receiving palliative care in the hospital, it means they are getting specialized support while staying in the hospital.
- The hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, will work with the palliative care team to provide comprehensive care.
- This setting is beneficial when a person's symptoms require more intensive management or if they need specific medical treatments that are best administered in a hospital setting.
- The goal remains to improve the quality of life and make the person as comfortable as possible.
In an Office Setting:
- Some people may receive palliative care in an office or clinic setting, similar to when they visit a doctor for a regular checkup.
- In this case, you would go to a specific location to meet with your palliative care team.
- This setting might suit individuals who can travel and do not need constant medical supervision.
- The team at the office would still work to manage symptoms, provide emotional support, and coordinate care, but it happens in a clinic rather than at home or in a hospital.
In summary, palliative care can be given in different places depending on the individual's needs and preferences. It can be provided at home, in a hospital, or in an office setting, and the goal is always to make the person with a serious illness feel as comfortable and supported as possible. Our team provides palliative care wherever the person calls home.
What role does the family play in palliative care, and how can they be involved in the decision-making process?
The family is like a team, with the medical professionals working together to make sure the person gets the best care possible. They provide emotional support, help with decisions, and ensure the person's preferences are considered. It's about coming together to make the person's journey as comfortable and meaningful as possible.