Palliative Care. A compassionate care approach for those with a serious illness, along with support for their loved ones.

 

In addition to physical and emotional needs, we focus on maintaining the dignity of our palliative care patients and improving their quality of life along with their loved ones. Palliative care can be provided along with curative medical treatment, and it also offers comfort when a cure may not be possible. We are here to support collective choices about our patient’s medical care, as well as help communicate decisions to their medical team.

 

What does Outpatient Palliative Care offer me? 

Our team coordinates with your medical team to relieve suffering by identifying, assessing, and providing symptom management while promoting the best quality of life possible. 

Our team will help you: 

  • Understand what to expect. 

  • Learn how to manage symptoms at home.  

  • Define goals of care. 

  • Discuss advanced care planning. 

  • Coordinate admission to hospice if indicated. 

 

How does Outpatient Palliative Care work? 

A certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) will make an initial visit to your home within 1-2 weeks of an initial consultation or discharge from the hospital. Afterwards, the NP will visit every 1-3 months, or more frequently, as needed.

During each visit, the NP will:  

  • Assess and discuss diagnosis/prognosis. 

  • Develop goals of care and treatment options. 

  • Review advanced directives. 

  • Provide symptom management. 

The NP does not prescribe medications. Instead, they communicate with your primary care physician or specialist overseeing your care, to make recommendations on medications to help alleviate symptoms. Palliative Care is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. 

Telephone triage support is available 24/7 for symptom and quality of life management. Non-emergent visits and advanced care planning may be provided, along with emotional and spiritual support.  

 

Coverage for palliative care.

Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans cover palliative care. Copays may apply. 

See a list of accepted insurances at Health First

 

Advanced care planning.

 

Contact us.

If you’re interested in our Palliative Care Program, ask your provider for a referral to Health First Palliative Care or contact our office at 321.434.1744 for assistance.

 

Additional resources.

Here are a few resources to support advanced care planning:
The Stanford Letter Project
The Conversation Project - Have You Had The Conversation?
Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning (americanbar.org)
Home  · Five Wishes