Learn more about palliative care for any stage of life.
Palliative care is specialty medical care that improves quality of life for people who have a serious illness and their families. We use an interdisciplinary approach to relieve physical, emotional and spiritual suffering.
Palliative care can support patients at any time during their illness, even at the time of diagnosis. Patients can continue disease-directed treatment that is aggressive and life-prolonging and receive palliative care at the same time. Palliative care provides an extra layer of support that complements the patient care team.
Many people can benefit from palliative care, including those with advanced heart and lung disease, cancer, kidney failure, liver disease, dementia and many other conditions. Earlier in the course of an illness, palliative care helps patients and families understand their disease and what to expect over time so you can prepare. As disease progresses, palliative care plays a larger role in managing symptoms and helping navigate treatment decisions.
Palliative care can help you clarify your goals of care, so treatment is focused on achieving what is most important to you. We advocate for patients by helping your care teams and your family understand your goals.
Board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners help manage distressing symptoms like pain, nausea, breathlessness, anxiety and constipation, among others. Providers talk with you and clarify what is most important to you. Medical treatment is aligned with your unique values and preferences.
Licensed clinical social workers help identify resources within Norton Healthcare and the community to help meet the needs of patients and their families, removing barriers to your care. They provide psychosocial support and are notary publics who can help patients complete advance care planning documents, such as living wills.
Chaplains are available to attend to spiritual needs and help people make meaning of their illness and maintain connection.
Palliative care is available in the hospital at Norton Hospital, Norton Audubon Hospital and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital. Palliative care is available on an outpatient basis as well, on Norton Healthcare’s downtown campus, on the Norton Healthcare – St. Matthews campus and on the Norton Brownsboro Hospital campus. Ask your provider for a referral.
Palliative care is not the same thing as hospice care. Hospice care is provided during the last six months of life when a person has decided to prioritize comfort and is no longer pursuing aggressive treatment of their illness, whether that be cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy; renal disease treatment, including dialysis; or other intervention. Palliative care can help you transition to hospice care if or when it makes sense for you and your family.
Most insurance plans cover palliative care, like other medical specialties.