What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a type of specialized medical treatment specifically for people who have an acute or chronic serious illness. While it’s likely the patient has a specialist dedicated to treating or curing their illness, think of the palliative care team as the second line of defense — focused on providing pain relief and managing the symptoms of the illness.
Palliative care helps to improve the quality of life for patients and families and supports them through important healthcare decisions along the way. CareBridge also offers respite services to palliative care clients.
| What palliative care is | What palliative care is not |
|---|---|
| Palliative care is for anyone who has a serious or chronic illness and needs relief from pain and symptoms | Palliative care is not "giving up" |
| Palliative care can be provided along with curative treatment | Palliative care does not "hasten death" |
| Palliative care can begin at the time of diagnosis | Palliative care does not replace curative treatment, it is done along with curative treatment |
| Palliative care improves the quality of life for the patient and family | Palliative care is not the same as end-of-life or hospice care |
How is hospice care different from palliative care? Hospice care is for patients with a prognosis of six or less months to live. Visit Hospice of Southwest Ohio to learn more.
Are you a medical professional making a referral for CareBridge Palliative Care services?
Call (513) 528-8150, fill out our Make a Referral form or use our free screening tool to get started.
When should someone consider palliative care?
It’s important to consider the patient’s needs when determining whether palliative care is the right option. For example:
1
Has the patient been diagnosed with an acute or chronic illness or condition such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Dementia
- Heart disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney failure
- Lung disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Neurological disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Sickle cell anemia
2
Is the patient experiencing symptoms that are limiting their quality of life, such as:
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Depression
- Discomfort
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Pain
3
Does the patient (or caregiver) need assistance learning about what to expect, making decisions regarding medical care or understanding treatments?
If you answered yes to these questions, you or a loved one might benefit from palliative care.
How is palliative care administered?
While all palliative care helps people manage symptoms of serious diseases, there are different approaches based on the patient’s individual situation.
Symptom management
The symptoms that accompany serious illnesses can make patients’ lives difficult and uncomfortable. CareBridge Palliative Care can help.
Pain management
Many patients struggle with painful side effects from serious diseases. CareBridge Palliative Care can help ease that pain.
More questions? We have the answers.
Who pays for palliative care?
Payment options typically depend on the patient’s individual plan, but palliative care is covered by most private insurance companies, and Medicare generally covers 80% of all palliative care charges. CareBridge also provides respite care to palliative clients as a private pay service
How does someone get started with palliative care?
A referral from the patient’s previous primary care doctor and a face sheet of personal information should be faxed to CareBridge Palliative Care at (513) 528-8151.
Where does CareBridge offer in-home palliative care visits?
CareBridge Palliative Care services are offered in patients’ homes or healthcare communities in and around Cincinnati, Ohio, in the following counties:.Where does CareBridge offer in-home palliative care visits?
CareBridge Palliative Care services are offered in patients’ homes or healthcare communities in and around Cincinnati, Ohio, in the following counties:
- Clermont County
- Butler County
- Warren County
- Hamilton County
Are you still not sure if you or loved one needs palliative care services?
Call CareBridge Services at (513) 528-8150.
