WHAT IS
PALLIATIVE CARE?
Palliative care is physician directed, interdisciplinary patient and family centered care provided to patients with a serious or chronic illness without regard to age or terminal prognosis. The palliative care program focuses on palliative support for those patients with advanced illnesses who typically have a life expectancy of 1 year or less. Palliative care services offer an extension of care while coordinating with the patient’s primary care team. Concurrent care is available while on palliative care.
WHAT IS PROVIDED IN PALLIATIVE CARE?
Palliative Eligibility
PALLIATIVE VS. HOSPICE
Palliative care is not hospice care; it does not replace the patient’s primary treatment, but instead works with the primary treatment being received. It focuses on the symptoms and stress of serious illness most often as an adjunct to curative care modalities.
It is not time limited, allowing individuals who are ‘upstream’ of a 6-month or less terminal prognosis to receive services aligned with palliative care principles. Additionally, individuals who qualify for hospice service and who are not emotionally ready to elect hospice care could benefit from these services.
PALLIATIVE CARE PHILOSOPHY
Patients are often referred to hospice too late, for a multitude of reasons, and many patients will die without ever being able the experience all the benefits of hospice. The importance of having conversations about personal wishes and end of life goals is well known, but often put off because they are difficult to discuss.
The palliative care program at Solaris will assist patients in getting those conversations stated sooner, with the goal of increasing the quality of life of our patients and decreasing emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Effective communication with patients and families can empower and reduce anxiety regarding end of life. In the Solaris palliative care program, we have a goal to address every patient’s fears and emotional needs and guide them into the right program, at the right time, and in the right place.
PALLIATIVE CARE TEAM
Skilled, experienced, and compassionate: our palliative care team will be there to help the patient and family navigate an advanced illness diagnosis both medically and emotionally.
PALLIATIVE FAQs
Are you looking for answers to your questions about palliative care and how it can improve the quality of life during serious illness? Click below to visit our Palliative Care FAQ page.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
