Palliative Care

Hospice and palliative care are both specialized types of care designed to provide comfort and support to individuals facing serious illnesses, but they serve distinct purposes and are structured differently in terms of services and payment. Today’s blog will concentrate on palliative care which is a holistic approach that focuses on relieving symptoms, pain, and stress at any stage of a serious illness.

A patient centered approach

Palliative care is patient-centered, aiming to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. It can be provided alongside curative treatments and is not limited to those at the end of life. This type of care does not require a physician order to initiate service, but the palliative team does collaborate with the patient’s attending physician.

It encompasses a broad range of services, including medication management, physical, emotional, and spiritual support, and assistance with medical decision-making. Because it can be part of aggressive treatment, in Georgia palliative care can often be covered by Medicare Part B and most insurance plans on a per visit basis.

Is this right for you or your loved one?

Palliative care can be accessed at any illness stage and can complement curative treatments. It is often a good fit for someone experiencing a chronic, irreversible condition such as cancer, COPD, CHF, or Alzheimer’s.

Hugh Henderson, founder of Capstone Hospice, said, “It’s a great way to introduce hospice services when the time is right.  Ideally, if we’re serving someone on the palliative side of our business, we build trust and can identify the need for hospice earlier in the patient’s disease process.  Doing so allows the patient and his or her family to get the full benefit of hospice services and avoids a scramble for services and resources at the very end of life.”

Look out for next week’s blog discussing hospice care. Hurley Elder Care Law’s experienced care coordination team often help our client families wishing to explore palliative and hospice care. Their knowledge and advice can be invaluable to families deciding care options for their loved ones. Call us today at 404-843-0121 to discuss your elder law situation.