How palliative care provides compassionate support for every stage of serious illness

Palliative care is comprehensive, patient-centered care that aims to maximize quality of life for people navigating serious illness, such as advanced heart disease, advanced lung disease, cancer, kidney or liver disease, dementia or Parkinson’s disease. It can be introduced at any stage of a serious illness alongside curative or disease-modifying treatments, from the point of diagnosis to the end of life.

The palliative care team is a specialized group of physicians and medical professionals who work together to address a patient’s physical, emotional, practical and spiritual needs.

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, our palliative care team includes physicians, advance practice nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers and chaplains who meet regularly with your primary doctor and patient care team as another layer of support to help manage symptoms while you continue to pursue other treatments and make complex medical decisions about your care while you’re in the hospital.

In the outpatient setting, we offer specialty clinical services for patients with cancer, advanced heart disease, advanced lung disease and neurodegenerative conditions.

Palliative care services can include:

• Expert treatment of your pain and other symptoms
• Help navigating the healthcare system
• Guidance with difficult and complex treatment choices
• Detailed practical information and assistance
• Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family

The goal is to support communication between patients and their providers to ensure that the patient’s values, goals and preferences are guiding and directing their care plan. This may be different for each individual patient, based on their preferences and treatment options.

What is hospice care, and how is it different than palliative care?

Hospice care provides this team-based, comprehensive care for patients and their families when the patient has a prognosis of 6 months or less to live. Where palliative care provides support to patients at any stage in their serious illness, hospice care is specifically for the end-stage of a disease, when curative treatments are no longer effective, or patients have opted to forgo further treatments that may extend their life.

Where is palliative care provided?

Palliative care can be provided in a variety of settings, including assisted living facilities, patients’ homes, hospitals, nursing facilities or even through telehealth. At the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, we offer palliative care at several of our hospitals, outpatient care centers and through telehealth, when appropriate.

How do I start the conversation about palliative care with my doctor or family?

Integrating palliative care early in your disease journey can improve your quality of life and help you manage bothersome symptoms. Talk to your family and your doctor about the challenges that you’re facing and your desire to have another layer of support from the palliative team to navigate difficult circumstances and conversations. Our team will be available to help develop a proactive care plan that reflects your needs and wishes throughout your disease journey.

Does insurance cover palliative care?

Some health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or parts of palliative care if it’s received while in the hospital, outpatient clinic, rehabilitation center or skilled nursing facility. But insurance plans can vary significantly, so it’s important to check your specific policy for the coverage your plan offers.

Palliative care specifically at Ohio State

Part of what differentiates Ohio State from other palliative care programs is our mission to provide expert care in the face of serious illness through clinical, educational and research innovation. To meet the unique needs of each patient, our team is constantly learning and finding new ways to improve the care that we provide.