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Palliative Care Palliative Care is Not Hospice Care

Palliative care can be provided during all phases of a serious or chronic illness. It can help patients feel better and improve their quality of life - even while they are undergoing curative therapies.

In contrast, hospice care utilizes the principles of palliative medicine to treat patients once curative measures are no longer effective or have ceased.

palliative care nc

Patients with chronic and/or life-limiting health conditions often require many healthcare resources in order to manage their health conditions effectively. For many of these individuals, palliative care may help manage short-term medical needs, and this type of timely and effective symptom management may improve long-term health.

Hospice of the Piedmont’s palliative care program, Care Connection, is a compassionate approach to palliative care. We have improved the quality of life for thousands of patients and their families, and we can do that for you.

Care Connection

Sometimes an individual undergoing treatment for a life-limiting illness can require palliative care to minimize the effects of treatment. In those instances, our Care Connection program offers clients the care and education needed to help improve their quality of life.

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What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care can help reduce stress for the patient and family.

Dealing with a chronic or life-limiting condition can place significant emotional stress on both the patient and the family. Pain, reduced quality of life and dealing with numerous healthcare resources can seem overwhelming to both the patient and their family.

Palliative care can help patients and their families better understand healthcare options for managing short-term medical needs and effective symptom management, enabling them to make better, more informed decisions.

Palliative care can improve a patient’s quality of life.

Palliative care consultations help improve the quality of life for patients receiving curative treatment at any stage of a serious illness. Palliative care can improve a patient’s ability to tolerate medical treatments, gain strength to carry on with daily life and help patients understand their care choices better.

Palliative care is a team effort.

The palliative care team includes a physician or nurse practitioner and a medical social worker if needed. The team works together to design a customized care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs.

Palliative care can be provided where you need it and may be covered by insurance.

Medicare Part B, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover palliative care services. (Standard co-pays may apply.) The services are provided in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living communities, and even the patient’s home.

Palliative care consultations are appropriate when:

  • A sudden catastrophic illness or a new diagnosis of an advanced disease occurs.
  • A patient requires frequent and/or prolonged hospital or ICU stays.
  • A chronically-ill patient′s functionality is declining, or he or she is suffering pain or other difficult symptoms.
  • A dialysis patient is experiencing a medical crisis.
  • A patient is suffering from uncontrolled spiritual or psychosocial distress.
  • There is a need for assistance with complex decision making, such as advanced directives.