WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

What is palliative care? Palliative care is specialized care for people with serious, long-term health conditions. The focus of palliative care is to relieve your symptoms and help you function in daily life. Palliative care is provided in addition to the treatment you are already receiving. Your palliative care team will work with your healthcare providers as they treat your illness. Care will be specific to your needs and the needs of your family. Palliative care can happen at any stage of your illness. It may change depending on changes in your condition and your goals for treatment. Care can be provided in a hospital or at home. It can also be provided in other facilities, such as a long-term care facility.

Who provides palliative care? Palliative care is provided by a team of trained care providers. This team includes doctors, nurses, and social workers. It may also include dietitians, chaplains, pharmacists, and counselors.

What do palliative care services include?

• Treatment management helps ease your symptoms, such as pain, nausea, or loss of appetite. This may be done using medicines or certain therapies. Support is also given to help you and your family understand your condition and explore treatment options. Decisions about your treatment will be made with your quality of life in mind.
  
  
• Emotional and psychological support helps you and those close to you cope with feelings about your condition. Patients and their families may join support groups or meet others in similar situations.
  
  
• Practical support assists with concerns such as employment and legal issues. It may also include financial counseling. Your social worker can help you find services that fit your needs and your family's needs.
  
  
• Spiritual and cultural support helps you and your family evaluate religious values and cultural beliefs. Thinking about values and beliefs may make it easier to understand and accept your condition.
  
  
• Transition support can help you, family, and friends prepare for changes that happen near the end of life. Your palliative care team will continue to help if you need end-of-life care. Transition support can also help you readjust to daily life if your condition improves.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.