Palliative Care
Care focused on comfort and quality of life during serious illness
Quick Facts
- Type: Specialized supportive care
- Focus: Symptom relief, comfort, and quality of life
- When used: Any stage of serious illness, alongside treatment
- Provided by: Doctors, nurses, social workers, and others
Overview
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on relieving the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life for both the patient and their family. It can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and is given alongside treatments aimed at curing or controlling the disease, not instead of them.
A common misunderstanding is that palliative care is only for the end of life. In fact, it is appropriate from the time of diagnosis of any serious illness, such as cancer, heart failure, lung disease, kidney disease, or dementia. Palliative care is delivered by a team that may include doctors, nurses, social workers, and others who work together to support the whole person. It differs from hospice care, which is for the final phase of life.
Studies and clinical experience show that good symptom control and support can improve how people feel and function while they undergo treatment for a serious illness. Palliative care also gives patients and families the time and information to make decisions that match their values and goals. Because it can begin early and continue for as long as it helps, many people benefit from it for months or even years.
What It Addresses
Palliative care helps with the many ways a serious illness can affect a person, including:
- Pain and physical discomfort
- Nausea, breathlessness, fatigue, and loss of appetite
- Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress
- Sleep problems and difficulty coping
- Stress on family members and caregivers
- Confusion and difficulty with treatment decisions
- Spiritual and practical concerns
By managing these issues, palliative care helps people feel better and stay more active and comfortable while they continue treatment for their illness.
Who It Is For
Palliative care can help anyone living with a serious or chronic illness, regardless of age or stage. It is commonly used for:
- Cancer: Managing symptoms and side effects during and after treatment.
- Heart, lung, and kidney disease: Easing breathlessness, fatigue, and other symptoms.
- Neurological conditions: Such as dementia, Parkinson disease, or stroke.
- Serious chronic conditions: Where symptoms and stress affect daily life.
It is offered alongside treatments that aim to cure or control the disease and continues for as long as it is helpful.
Benefits
- Better control of pain and distressing symptoms
- Improved quality of life and ability to do daily activities
- Emotional support for patients and families
- Help understanding the illness and making treatment decisions
- Better coordination among different doctors and services
- Support for caregivers and reduced stress
What to Expect
Palliative care begins with a thorough discussion of your needs and goals:
- Symptom assessment: Reviewing pain and other physical and emotional symptoms.
- Goals of care conversation: Understanding what matters most to you and your family.
- Care coordination: Working with your other doctors to align treatment with your goals.
Palliative care can be provided in hospitals, clinics, or at home, and the team adjusts the plan as your needs change.
What It Involves
A palliative care team uses many approaches to improve comfort and quality of life:
- Symptom management: Medications and treatments for pain, nausea, breathlessness, and other symptoms.
- Emotional support: Counseling and support for anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Help with decisions: Clear information and guidance about treatment choices and goals of care.
- Coordination: Linking your specialists and services so care is consistent.
- Family and caregiver support: Practical and emotional help for those caring for you.
- Advance care planning: Discussing wishes for future care.
Palliative care works alongside your main treatment and can continue as long as it is useful.
Getting the Most From Palliative Care
- Ask your doctor about palliative care early in a serious illness, not only at the end of life
- Be open about all symptoms, including pain, mood, and sleep
- Share what matters most to you and your goals for care
- Include family members and caregivers in conversations
- Keep a list of medications and questions for the team
- Discuss advance care planning when you feel ready
When to Seek Help
Ask about palliative care any time a serious illness is causing pain, troubling symptoms, or emotional distress, even while you continue active treatment. Contact your care team promptly for uncontrolled pain, new severe symptoms, or sudden changes in condition. Seek emergency care for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden confusion, or other urgent problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialized care that relieves the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness to improve quality of life. It is provided alongside treatments meant to cure or control the disease and can begin at any stage, from diagnosis onward.
Is palliative care the same as hospice?
No. Palliative care can be given at any stage of a serious illness, alongside curative or disease-controlling treatment. Hospice care is a type of palliative care for people in the final phase of life, usually when curative treatment is no longer the goal. Both focus on comfort.
Does palliative care mean giving up on treatment?
No. Palliative care is provided together with treatments aimed at curing or controlling your illness. Its goal is to help you feel better and live as well as possible while you continue care, not to replace your other treatment.
When should I ask about palliative care?
It is appropriate from the time of diagnosis of any serious illness and especially helpful when symptoms, pain, or stress are affecting your quality of life. Asking early often leads to better symptom control and support, so there is no need to wait.
Who provides palliative care?
Palliative care is delivered by a team that may include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists. They work together and coordinate with your other doctors to support your physical, emotional, and practical needs.
References
- National Institute on Aging. What are palliative care and hospice care?
- Center to Advance Palliative Care. About palliative care.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Palliative care.
- World Health Organization (WHO). Palliative care.