Palliative care: Compassionate support for patients and families
Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on improving quality of life for people living with serious or chronic illnesses. Our team works alongside a patient’s other healthcare providers to help manage symptoms, reduce stress and provide support for them and their families.
Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Our goal is to help patients live as comfortably and fully as possible while ensuring care aligns with their values, goals and preferences.
We offer inpatient care in Indiana and Michigan and outpatient care in Michigan.
How palliative care can help
Our palliative care team can assist with:
- Managing pain and other symptoms
- Improving quality of life
- Supporting emotional, social and spiritual well-being
- Helping patients and families understand treatment options
- Facilitating advance care planning (for your future wishes) and immediate healthcare decisions
- Coordinating care among healthcare providers
- Providing support during serious illness and recovery
When should I consider palliative care?
Many people think palliative care is only for the final stages of an illness, but it can be beneficial much earlier. You may want to consider palliative care if you or a loved one is living with a serious or chronic condition and experiencing challenges that affect quality of life.
Palliative care may be right for you (the patient) if:
- You are experiencing pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea or other symptoms that are difficult to manage.
- You have been diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, neurological conditions or another chronic condition.
- You have had multiple hospitalizations or emergency department visits related to your condition.
- You are feeling overwhelmed by treatment decisions and want help understanding your options.
- You would like support with advance care planning and communicating your healthcare goals.
- Your family or caregivers need additional guidance and support.
- You want to improve your quality of life while continuing treatment for your condition.
Palliative care focuses on helping you live as well as possible while receiving the care you need. Our team works closely with your primary care provider and specialists to ensure your treatment plan reflects your personal goals, values and preferences.
If you are unsure whether palliative care is appropriate for you, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help determine if a referral may be beneficial.