Palliative Care
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is an approach to care aimed at improving quality of life through the prevention and treatment of both physical and non-physical symptoms associated with life-limiting conditions. Palliative care can be provided along with curative treatments. Palliative care services are provided by an interdisciplinary team including nurses, social workers, chaplain, therapists, certified nursing assistants, and trained volunteers.
Palliative Care Services Include:
Assisting patients and families to understand a patient’s new or chronic illness
Facilitation of discussion related to possible ongoing treatment options and care for a life-limiting illness
Assistance with planning for current and future needs
Working with patients and families to identify and pursue goals that contribute to quality of life
Control of illness related symptoms including pain
Coordination of care and services through communication with physicians and the interdisciplinary team
Opportunities for volunteer and/or chaplain support
Who is eligible for Palliative Care Services?
Any individual diagnosed with a life-limiting condition who could benefit from assistance with pain and symptom control, assistance with decision-making, and coordination of services
How to obtain Palliative Care Services?
With a referral order signed by the patient’s physician
Self-referrals can be made by contacting the referral coordinator at (206) 439-9095. The referral coordinator will contact the physician for orders (services can not be started until the signed order is received).
