Palliative Care

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness while seeing the person beyond the disease. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.

What is the difference between Hospice Care & Palliative Care?

Hospice care provides palliative (comfort) care to patients who are living with terminal illnesses through an interdisciplinary team that addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and psycho-social aspects of life while supporting their inner circle.

Palliative care is a newer model of care that provides comfort care to those who are living with serious and chronic illnesses while supporting their inner circle, addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives.

NOTE:

At this time, Hospice of the Ozarks is providing palliative care to patients who are living with a terminal illness and a prognosis of 6 months or less.

Hospice of the Ozarks is currently seeking grants to start a pilot palliative care program to provide comfort and support to those living with serious and chronic illnesses while supporting their inner circle.

At this time, we do not have a “palliative care program” for seriously and chronically ill patients, but will announce the start of a pilot program when funding is secured.