OverviewPalliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing patients relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness, no matter the diagnosis or stage of disease. Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of life for both patients and their families. This form of care is offered alongside curative or other treatments you may be receiving. Show
Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specially trained people. They work with you, your family and your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support that complements your ongoing care. Mayo Clinic's approach Why it's donePalliative care may be offered to people of any age who have a serious or life-threatening illness. It can help adults and children living with illnesses such as:
Symptoms that may be improved by palliative care include:
How you prepareHere's some information to help you get ready for your first consultation appointment.
What you can expectPalliative care is an approach to care that you may want to access at any stage of a serious illness. It helps you manage symptoms and address concerns that matter most to you. You may consider palliative care when you have questions about:
Your first meeting may take place while you're in the hospital or in an outpatient clinic. Research indicates that early use of palliative care services can improve the quality of life for patients with serious illness, decrease depression and anxiety, increase patient and family satisfaction with care, and, in some cases, even extend survival. During the consultationYour palliative care team will talk with you about your symptoms, current treatments, and how this illness is affecting you and your family. You and your palliative care team make a plan to prevent and ease suffering and improve your daily life. This plan will be carried out in coordination with your primary care team in a way that works well with any other treatment you're receiving. After the consultationYour palliative care plan is designed to fit your life and needs. It may include elements such as:
Your palliative care team collaborates with your regular doctors to ensure your care is well-coordinated. Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Palliative care care at Mayo Clinic Aug. 15, 2017
RelatedNews from Mayo ClinicProducts & ServicesWhat is the main focus of palliative care?Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
What are the 3 main goals of palliative care?I'm going to discuss three essential components of palliative care: identifying goals of care, controlling symptoms and caring for the whole person.
What is important to patients in palliative care?Palliative care takes into account the wishes of the person about the type of medical care they want to receive, their living environment and cultural or spiritual practices that are important to them. This can benefit the patient and also be a comfort to the patient's loved ones.
What is the nurse role in palliative care?What Does a Palliative Care Nurse Do? Nurses who specialize in palliative care provide short-term or long-term services. They offer curative care to critically ill patients or relief and comfort for the terminally ill. They also support families, providing practical advice and bereavement care.
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