I think lealonnie1 gave a great outline of what is palliative care. If you would like a positive and negative first hand experience with Palliative Care, private message me and I would be glad to share.
The only thing Palliative Care (PC) and Hospice Care is the same is that you have total freedom to change providers at any time you feel you are not being served with your best interests at heart. Using PC should not be considered as end-of-life care any more than going to your primary care provider... which you still will be using. PC can help you understand and make decisions how to keep on keeping on... but also will be by your side when end-of-live decisions may need to be made. I feel many people feel pushed into hospice while there are still options to make their life more pleasant rather than just comfortable.
Fortunately we only had to change once in order to find the best Palliative Care provider for us. My high opinion has only increased with each involvement we have had. We are at the center in everything, meaning my husband as a patient and myself as a caregiver... both of our needs and wishes are always first priority in how they try to serve us. The BEST resource I have ever found and only wish I would have understood that years ago early in our journey with Parkinson's during our down times but even during our good times! The sooner they can get to know you, the better they will know how to serve you.
What is palliative care? Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Patients in palliative care may receive medical care for their symptoms, or palliative care, along with treatment intended to cure their serious illness. Palliative care is meant to enhance a person's current care by focusing on quality of life for them and their family.
Who can benefit from palliative care? Palliative care is a resource for anyone living with a serious illness, such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and many others. Palliative care can be helpful at any stage of illness and is best provided soon after a person is diagnosed.
In addition to improving quality of life and helping with symptoms, palliative care can help patients understand their choices for medical treatment. The organized services available through palliative care may be helpful to any older person having a lot of general discomfort and disability very late in life.
Who makes up the palliative care team? A palliative care team is made up of multiple different professionals that work with the patient, family, and the patient's other doctors to provide medical, social, emotional, and practical support. The team is comprised of palliative care specialist doctors and nurses, and includes others such as social workers, nutritionists, and chaplains. A person's team may vary based on their needs and level of care. To begin palliative care, a person's health care provider may refer him or her to a palliative care specialist. If he or she doesn't suggest it, the person can ask a health care provider for a referral.
Where is palliative care provided? Palliative care can be provided in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient palliative care clinics and certain other specialized clinics, or at home. Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance policies may cover palliative care. Veterans may be eligible for palliative care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Private health insurance might pay for some services. Health insurance providers can answer questions about what they will cover.
Visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website to find palliative care near you.
The only thing Palliative Care (PC) and Hospice Care is the same is that you have total freedom to change providers at any time you feel you are not being served with your best interests at heart. Using PC should not be considered as end-of-life care any more than going to your primary care provider... which you still will be using. PC can help you understand and make decisions how to keep on keeping on... but also will be by your side when end-of-live decisions may need to be made. I feel many people feel pushed into hospice while there are still options to make their life more pleasant rather than just comfortable.
Fortunately we only had to change once in order to find the best Palliative Care provider for us. My high opinion has only increased with each involvement we have had. We are at the center in everything, meaning my husband as a patient and myself as a caregiver... both of our needs and wishes are always first priority in how they try to serve us. The BEST resource I have ever found and only wish I would have understood that years ago early in our journey with Parkinson's during our down times but even during our good times! The sooner they can get to know you, the better they will know how to serve you.
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Patients in palliative care may receive medical care for their symptoms, or palliative care, along with treatment intended to cure their serious illness. Palliative care is meant to enhance a person's current care by focusing on quality of life for them and their family.
Who can benefit from palliative care?
Palliative care is a resource for anyone living with a serious illness, such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and many others. Palliative care can be helpful at any stage of illness and is best provided soon after a person is diagnosed.
In addition to improving quality of life and helping with symptoms, palliative care can help patients understand their choices for medical treatment. The organized services available through palliative care may be helpful to any older person having a lot of general discomfort and disability very late in life.
Who makes up the palliative care team?
A palliative care team is made up of multiple different professionals that work with the patient, family, and the patient's other doctors to provide medical, social, emotional, and practical support. The team is comprised of palliative care specialist doctors and nurses, and includes others such as social workers, nutritionists, and chaplains. A person's team may vary based on their needs and level of care. To begin palliative care, a person's health care provider may refer him or her to a palliative care specialist. If he or she doesn't suggest it, the person can ask a health care provider for a referral.
Where is palliative care provided?
Palliative care can be provided in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient palliative care clinics and certain other specialized clinics, or at home. Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance policies may cover palliative care. Veterans may be eligible for palliative care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Private health insurance might pay for some services. Health insurance providers can answer questions about what they will cover.
Visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website to find palliative care near you.