What you can expect during your first meeting
In your first meeting with your CareBridge Palliative Care team, they will listen to your concerns, needs and desires, in order to understand your wishes for care and living.
Everybody has different goals and wishes. One person might have a goal of achieving pain relief, so she can comfortably attend her grandson’s football game. Another individual might want to get his shortness of breath under control, so he can get back on the golf course. Another person might be determined to go to work or an event without constantly feeling nauseated.
Your team will work with you and your loved ones to come up with a plan to give you control and help you live well, as you define it. They will also continually communicate with you and your primary care physician to revise the plan as needed.
Our team is concerned about you as a whole person — not just the part of you that is sick. We also understand that there is not always one right or wrong answer and that your needs and wishes may change over time. The CareBridge Services team considers all of these things when working with you to develop a care plan.
Do you need to have a conversation with your physician to receive your referral for CareBridge Palliative Care? Here are some tips to help.
What should you ask the team during the meeting?
Here are some suggestions to consider:
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- What can I expect from palliative care?
- Where will my care be provided (e.g., in the hospital, home, nursing home, hospice)?
- Who is on the palliative care team?
- What are your recommendations for my care?
- What decisions need to be made by either my family or me?
- Will you help explain my treatment choices and the issues involved in making these decisions?
- Will you communicate openly and candidly with my family and me about my illness?
- Will you continue to be involved in my care when I am in the hospital (if you are an outpatient)?
- Will you continue to be involved in my care when I am discharged from the hospital?
- How will you work with and communicate with my other doctors?
- What will you do if I experience severe pain or other symptoms?
- What support will you provide to my family and/or caregivers?
- Will you still be available to me throughout my illness?
- How can I reach you?
- What resources do you recommend for me to learn more about palliative care?
- What can I expect from palliative care?
Do you have more questions?
CareBridge Services is here to help.
For more immediate assistance, call (513) 528-8150.
Read some of the most frequently asked questions here.
Submit your question by email and a CareBridge Services representative will get back with you.
