Palliative Care

Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care for people living with chronic or progressive illness.

The goal is to improve the quality of life for all those impacted. For patients, palliative care helps relieve symptoms from the disease and related treatments. For caregivers, it offers expert support to help lessen the daily burden and navigate difficult healthcare situations.

Palliative care is often provided alongside curative treatments and is an effective option regardless of age, stage or diagnosis. Our team of specialists at AtlantiCare will partner with your primary care plus physician and other providers to ensure the best possible care.

Studies show that palliative care significantly improves the quality of life for patients coping with a serious illness. It provides much-needed relief for symptoms such as pain, nausea, shortness of breath and poor appetite, while helping you better tolerate treatment and its side effects.

At AtlantiCare, the benefits of palliative care go far beyond physical healing. Our compassionate team is here to help you and your family:

• Better understand your condition and options for care
• Outline your personal goals and match them to treatment choices
• Manage the often complex emotional and psychological stresses of an illness
• Communicate and collaborate with your primary care doctor and other specialists to optimize your care
• Make healthcare decisions related to any social and spiritual concerns
• Provide financial guidance and connect you to valuable community resources
• Assist with advance care planning

Palliative care is a layer of care that is added to your existing plan and in close coordination with your primary physician. It’s designed to help you feel better, while your other doctors focus on treating your condition.

Our specialists may prescribe medications to relieve symptoms or recommend holistic therapies such as meditation, acupuncture or lifestyle changes. We spend time talking to you and your family about your illness, goals and treatment choices, which can ease anxiety about what comes next and help you make informed decisions.

Palliative care can benefit anyone dealing with a chronic or debilitating disease—at any stage of the illness and any stage of life.

Common conditions  include but are not limited to:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Lung disease, such as COPD
• Kidney disease
• Neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s

Palliative care focuses on relieving distressing symptoms from the disease and related treatment, while helping avoid prolonged hospitalization or frequent readmissions. It’s also a valuable resource for caregivers and family members faced with complicated healthcare challenges.

Palliative care at AtlantiCare is provided by an interprofessional team featuring board-certified physicians and specially trained experts including:

• Advanced practice nurses
• Registered nurses
• Social workers
• Spiritual care providers
• Registered dietitians

Together, we coordinate with your primary care physician to provide a blanket of support to you and your family. We’re here to listen, lean on and help ensure that care is always aligned with your personal goals.

Palliative care is often confused or used synonymously with hospice care. But, it’s important to understand they are not the same.

Hospice care is provided specifically in the final weeks or months of life, when curative treatments are no longer considered helpful.

Palliative care is available for patients at any stage of an illness and often used to supplement treatments. It focuses on improving symptoms and promoting a longer life. Patients may learn how to adjust their lifestyles to better cope with their condition.

The sooner you can start palliative care, the better. Because pain and stress take a toll on your body, early intervention can lead to a better quality of life and even improve your prognosis.

Atlanticare offers palliative care in the hospital setting. We also provide palliative care for patients of Atlanticare Cancer Center institute.

Most health plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or part of palliative care. We also offer financial assistance, as needed.

We understand patients and families often want support to begin quickly. Your primary care provider or oncologist can help develop a plan and put it into action.