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 people often experience. 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. It can be delivered in conjunction with a curative treatment. Palliative care providers undergo special training and work with the patient’s doctors and care team 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
Features of Palliative Care
- Palliative providers are available both in the inpatient setting (Appleton and Neenah hospitals) and in the outpatient clinic settings in: Appleton, Neenah, Shawano, Oshkosh and Waupaca.
- Provides in-home provider visits to homebound patients in Appleton, Kimberly, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Neenah, Menasha and Greenville for those who qualify.
- Offers video visits for inpatient and outpatient consults and follow-ups. Outpatient video visits are offered when travel to the clinic is a barrier or a patient is homebound but outside the community visits service area.
- Supports front-line providers by devoting time to goals of care conversations.
- Able to be provided along with disease-modifying treatment.
- Expert guidance to address symptoms and decrease distress.
- Education around a person’s disease and prognosis.
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.
