What is palliative care?

Palliative care is health care that focuses on easing pain, symptoms, and the stress of serious illness for the patient and family. The goal is to enhance comfort and overall quality of life. It is useful at any stage of an illness and can be provided at the same time as all other medical treatments.

How is palliative care different from Hospice?

Hospice care is a program providing palliative care near the end of life. It is limited to patients with a prognosis of six months or less to live. Palliative care has no time limit, and can be provided together with treatment to cure or control the disease process. This allows patients and families the benefits of holistic care earlier in the course of an illness.

What is Stamford Hospital's palliative care program?

Stamford Hospital has a palliative care team consisting of a Physician, an Advanced Practice Nurse with special training in pain and palliative care, a Social Worker, a Case Manager, a Chaplain, and members of other disciplines. The team provides consultation for patients in the hospital, and works together with you, your primary care doctor, your family, and your other care providers to provide support and help with a plan of care that meets your needs and supports your values.

What can I expect from a palliative care consultation?

A team member will meet with you to assess your condition and needs. You can expect the team to work with your doctor on a plan for relief of symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. You can expect support in dealing with emotional and spiritual distress that can come with illness. You will better understand your condition and your choices for continued care. You will have support in identifying your goals and a plan for care to meet them. You can expect regular follow up by the palliative care team while you are in the hospital to assess your progress and help with planning for care after discharge.

When is the right time for palliative care?

Palliative care may be offered together with all other appropriate medical treatment. It is recommended that patients and their families seek palliative care early in the course of a progressive disease, so that overall quality of life can be optimized through the course of the patient's illness.

How can I obtain palliative care?

Ask for it! Start by talking to your doctor or nurse. Tell them about your and your family's needs - for symptom management, support with the stress of dealing with illness, assistance with planning for future care, and understanding your options. Your doctor may be able to help you with these things or assist you in finding help. When you are a patient in Stamford Hospital, your doctor can order a consultation from the palliative care team.

Questions?

Contact Barbara Richardson, APRN, Palliative Program Coordinator.