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Palliative Care: Get The Facts

12 January 2016 by Clifford Ramos

The concept of "palliative care" is a rather recent innovation in the field of health care. Some people who have heard of the term, however, might not fully understand the idea behind the phrase. This article focuses on a few key aspects of this intriguing health care conception.  

Compared to Hospice Care  

Some confusion exists between the concepts of hospice care and that of palliative care. Although the two have certain similarities, they are not synonymous. For example, hospice care refers to the care given to someone who has a terminal illness. When you receive hospice care, the focus is only on your comfort. Your disease is not treated aggressively. With palliative care, the goal is to improve your quality of life as you live with a serious disease. You do not need to be terminally ill or avoid aggressive treatments to receive palliative care. 

Who Gives It

Palliative care is given by a variety of professionals in the healthcare field, as well as others who can offer valuable services. For example, because your physical symptoms must be addressed, doctors and nurses obviously play a large role in this type of care. 

Palliative care also addresses your emotional needs as you navigate the psychological difficulties caused by having a serious illness. This means that psychologists and therapists may play a critical role in your care. Other important members of a palliative care team might include nutritionists, social workers and pharmacists. For those who have spiritual needs due to their illness, a chaplain or clergy person might be a valuable team member as well. 

Who Pays 

In general, palliative care is paid in the same ways as any other type of health care. Most private insurers will pay for palliative care, along with Medicare and Medicaid. If you do not have insurance, talk with a social worker or someone from your hospital's financial aid office for assistance. 

Your Doctor 

Some patients might have concerns that palliative care treatment will interfere with the relationship they have developed with their family doctor. Fortunately, however, you do not need to lose the services of your personal physician to receive palliative care services. The palliative care team will work with your doctor to ensure that you get excellent care while retaining your primary physician. 

Palliative care is a helpful option for anyone dealing with the stress and discomfort caused by a grave illness. For more information about this topic, consult with your health care provider or check out websites like http://cornermedical.com/.  

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