Improving Quality of Life With Extra Support
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 a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. Care is appropriate at any age and point in a serious illness and can be delivered in conjunction with a curative treatment. Provided by a specially trained team, palliative care specialists work with the patient’s doctors to provide an extra layer of support.
The primary goals of palliative care are:
- Treatment and easing of symptoms that cause distress in the patient
- Care management
- Emotional and spiritual guidance
- Resource coordination
- Care planning
Services
ThedaCare’s team-based palliative care coverage area includes 13 counties in northeast and central Wisconsin.
Palliative care services include:
- Individualized visits with palliative care providers
- 24/7 telephone support
- Expert guidance to address symptoms and decrease distress
- Education around a person’s disease and prognosis
- Support to the individual and their family
- Assistance with planning for the future, including advance directives
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Palliative care is billed the same as any other specialty office visit and is covered by most insurances.
No. The palliative care team provides an extra layer of support and works in partnership with your primary care provider.
Yes, your treatment choices are your decision. You can receive palliative care alongside treatments from other specialists.
The patients we see often have multiple chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, dementia, cancer and neurologic conditions (MS, ALS, post-stroke).
Anyone, at any time, can request palliative care. Call (920) 364-3600.
Check with your insurance to see if you need a referral. Once we receive a referral, we strive to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
