Many people hear “palliative care” and immediately think it means end-of-life care. But that’s not actually true.
Palliative care is about helping people feel better while dealing with a serious or chronic illness, no matter what stage they’re in.
What does palliative care do?
Palliative care provides extra support alongside medical treatment. “The goal is to ease symptoms and improve quality of life, not just for the patient, but for their family too,” explains Sarah DeWitt, MD, Carilion Clinic Palliative Medicine.
A palliative care team usually includes several different kinds of experts, including doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and chaplains—all working together to support you in different ways.
What can palliative care help with?
Palliative care can make a big difference in day-to-day life for those with chronic illnesses. It can help patients manage things like:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea or loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety or depression
- Trouble sleeping
It also helps with the emotional and mental load, which can be just as tough as the physical symptoms. The palliative care team can do things like:
- Make it easier to understand your options
- Coordinate care between different doctors
- Help you navigate your health insurance
- Support family members and caregivers
When would someone need palliative care?
Palliative care is for anyone, of any age, with a serious illness that’s affecting their daily life. Someone might benefit if they:
- Have an illness like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, COPD, or kidney disease
- Are dealing with symptoms that make daily life harder
- Feel overwhelmed by treatment decisions
- Need help managing medicines or care at home
- Just want more support and guidance
“You can get palliative care while still undergoing treatment,” says Dr. DeWitt. “You don’t have to stop medications, chemo, or other therapies to qualify.”
Is it the same as hospice?
No. Palliative care can happen at any point during an illness and alongside treatment. Hospice care is for people who are nearing the end of life and are no longer seeking curative treatment.
If you have questions or feel you could benefit from palliative care, reach out to your family doctor.
