Palliative Care Services

While both palliative care and hospice care focus on comfort and quality of life, there are important differences. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments. There are no time restrictions, and patients don't need to forgo life-prolonging therapies to receive palliative care. In contrast, hospice care is specifically for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its natural course, and who have decided to focus on comfort rather than curative treatments. Palliative care can transition into hospice care if the illness progresses, providing continuity of comfort-focused care.

Most health insurance plans provide coverage for palliative care services, though the specific benefits may vary. Before starting services, our administrative team can help verify your insurance coverage and explain any out-of-pocket costs you might incur. For patients without insurance coverage, we offer transparent pricing and payment options to make palliative care accessible. We believe that financial concerns should not be a barrier to receiving the comfort and support that palliative care provides.

The frequency of palliative care visits depends on your specific needs and the stability of your symptoms. Initially, visits might be more frequent—perhaps weekly—as we get to know you and work to establish effective symptom management. As your condition stabilizes, visits may decrease to biweekly or monthly. However, the schedule is flexible and responsive to changes in your condition. If symptoms intensify or new issues arise, the team can increase visit frequency. Between scheduled visits, our team remains available by phone to address concerns and make adjustments to your care plan.

Yes, absolutely. Palliative care is designed to work alongside your primary care physician and specialists as an additional layer of support, not as a replacement. Our palliative care team communicates regularly with your other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care. Your existing doctors continue to manage your disease-specific treatments, while the palliative care team focuses on symptom management, emotional support, and improving your quality of life. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of your health care are addressed and aligned with your goals and preferences.

Palliative care recognizes that serious illness affects the entire family, and supporting caregivers is a crucial part of our approach. We provide practical education on caregiving skills, symptom management, medication administration, and recognizing changes that should be reported to healthcare providers. We offer emotional support through counseling, support groups, and connection to community resources. We help identify when caregivers need respite care to prevent burnout and can assist in arranging these services. We facilitate family meetings to discuss care planning, address concerns, and ensure everyone understands the current situation and plan of care. This comprehensive support helps caregivers maintain their own well-being while providing care for their loved one.