Our palliative care team provides an extra layer of support and works in partnership with each patient’s primary provider. Palliative care works with patients and their families to provide an understanding of what to expect throughout the process given the patient’s diagnosis. Care providers work alongside patients and their families to select the right resources to aid in recovery.
Palliative care specialists help patients make medical decisions regarding treatment options and choices. Palliative care experts also work to match the patient’s goals and values to their medical care and explore the benefits and burdens of the suggested treatment options.
Patients and Their Families
The philosophy behind palliative care embraces a wholistic approach to care, which seeks to meet an individual’s physical, psychosocial (emotional and mental), and spiritual needs. It also embraces the family as a unit, recognizing that when one person in the family is ill, everyone is affected. That’s why you’ll find that in addition to the support that your loved one receives from our palliative care team, we’re here for you, too.
Palliative care patients should remain active in the decisions affecting their care, including the decision to continue treatments. That’s why, a primary goal of palliative care is to improve a patient’s quality of life, while empowering patient choice. Quality of life is important both to the patient and their family, and just knowing that you have an advocate during this difficult part of life’s journey is comforting. Family members, often anxious about how to care for a relative with a serious illness, also have someone they can turn to.
Some of the ways our team can support your needs include:
- Caregiving guidance. Our palliative care nurses will take the time that’s needed to understand any concerns you may have about caring for your loved one and provide instruction and training when needed. In addition, if your loved one’s condition changes in some manner, they will provide the support you need to help you better understand what’s happening and how to adjust to those changes.
- Counseling support. Our palliative care counselors are skilled listeners who can help you cope with the uncertainties that go along with having a loved one who is ill. They provide support in a variety of ways for all members of the family, and can also help with practical matters, such as dealing with finances or accessing resources in the community.
- Spiritual support. Our chaplains come from a variety of faith backgrounds and are experts in providing spiritual support to all individuals, regardless of what spiritual beliefs you may hold. They are skilled listeners and available to provide the additional support you may need.
- Support for additional needs. Our amazing volunteers help to fill in the gaps for patients and families, providing invaluable support in a variety of ways. This can include things like spending time with your loved one—so you can take a break to relax, helping with transportation, or running errands.
We know that being a family caregiver can be overwhelming at times. That’s why you need support, too. With the help of our palliative care team, you can rest assured that you’ll get it.
