Palliative care is a form of home health care in which patients face chronic or quality of life-limiting illnesses, and focuses on the relief of symptoms, pain and stress. Palliative care is available at any stage of a serious illness and can be combined with aggressive treatments. It entails prescribing medications and recommending therapies and resources to help patients get everything they need to deal with a chronic or life-limiting illness.
The goal of any palliative care program is to manage pain and symptoms of a chronic illness to improve quality of life. Palliative care works to manage pain, symptoms and side-effects while doctors focus on treatment. Patients receive medical, social, emotional and spiritual care from people who know what you’re going through and receive guidance and support in dealing with the healthcare system and the patient’s healthcare needs. The palliative care team typically consists of a palliative care physician and medical social worker. Palliative care is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance.
