PALLIATIVE CARE

Is it Right for Me?

There are often misconceptions that palliative care is the same as hospice care or leads to it. But palliative care is not necessarily a stepping stone to hospice care and can be received at ANY point during a patient’s illness with the ultimate goal being to improve quality of life while still receiving treatment. It can be said that all hospice care is palliative care but not all palliative care is hospice care. 

Whether a patient is living with Parkinson’s, ALS, cardiac disease, Alzheimer’s, or fighting cancer, there are often both physical and psychological symptoms and side effects. Palliative care, along with curative treatments, aims to give an additional layer of support in managing the symptoms and stress of life-limiting diseases.

 

PALLIATIVE CARE SURVEY

Take a moment to review the questions below. If you or someone close to you answer “Yes” to one or more of the following questions, palliative care might be a viable option.

Are you or a loved one living with one or more of the following serious illnesses?

  • Cancer
  • COPD, emphysema, or other lung diseases
  • Kidney or liver failure
  • Neurological diseases such as ALS or Parkinson’s
  • Autoimmune disorders such as Crohn’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus
  • Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia

Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms from your disease or difficult side effects from treatment that regularly impact your quality of life? These symptoms could include, but are not limited to:

  • Pain
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Autoimmune disorders such as Crohn’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus
  • Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia

Have you or a loved one had frequent ER visits or admissions to the hospital due to the same recurring symptoms?

Could you or your loved one use help with understanding what programs and resources are available to you as well as with making medical decisions about treatment options?

Do you or your loved one seek any of the following?

  • Matching your values to your medical care
  • Knowing what to expect with your disease and treatment
  • Emotional support
  • Spiritual or religious support
  • Help with talking to loved ones about your disease

For any additional questions and information regarding palliative care, please call (616) 235-5101, download our Palliative Services brochure or go to our resource page.

 
VIEW BROCHURE

PALLIATIVE CARE RESOURCES