Palliative Care

Palliative care, and the medical specialty of palliative medicine, is specialized medical care that provides relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both you and your loved ones while maintaining control of your decisions.

Palliative care is provided by a team of specialists, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers who work together with your primary doctor to provide and extra layer of support. Palliative care is provided in a variety of settings including the hospital, outpatient clinic, and anywhere you call home. It is appropriate at any age and any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. In fact, some studies have shown that palliative care may extend life.

Hospice of Guernsey, Inc. Palliative care services can help with

• Relief from symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, numbness, problems with sleep and much more.
• In-depth communication with you and your loved ones about your goals, your concerns, and your treatment options-and how to match you goals with those options.
• Coordination of your care among all your health care providers.
• Improved ability to tolerate medical treatments and the side effects of the disease.
• Prevent recurrent hospitalizations by improving symptom management.
• Improved ability to carry on with daily life.
• Emotional and practical support for you and your loved ones.
• Referral and coordination of home care services.

Getting Palliative care is as simple as asking your doctor or practitioner.