An Educational Guide to Palliative Care
Palliative Care provides comfort, care and support for people with serious, chronic or advanced illnesses. The goal is to achieve the best quality of life possible, for patients and their families.
In-Network Providers
We have a large network of providers and resources who can help you or a loved one with palliative care services in your community. Our directory includes in-network providers in:
- Brooklyn
- Bronx
- Manhattan
- Nassau
- Queens
- Suffolk
- Westchester
For a complete listing of all of our in-network providers speak with your Care Manager or call:
1-866-237-3210
TTY/TDD 1-800-662-1220
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care provides comfort, care and support for people with serious, chronic or advanced illnesses. The goal is to achieve the best quality of life possible, for patients and their families.
Core components of Palliative Care include:
- Focusing on providing relief from physical pain and discomfort. Patients can still receive CURATIVE treatment for a chronic illness.
- Providing physical, emotional, spiritual, and social support and help to cope with the diagnosis and/or treatment.
- Helping to make difficult decisions about goals of care, planning and treatment options.
- Utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach to consider care plan options. Team members may include:
- Primary Care Doctors and Medical Specialists
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Social Worker
- Pharmacist
- Pastoral Care
- Speech, Occupational or Physical Therapist
- Family/friends
- Other health care professionals as necessary
How is Palliative Care different from Hospice?
While Hospice Care is similar to Palliative Care, it is important to note the differences.
- Palliative care is provided at any stage of an illness along with curative or life-prolonging care, regardless of prognosis or life expectancy. Hospice is provided for patients with a prognosis of 6 months or less. Curative treatment is no longer an option.
- Palliative care focuses on pain and symptom relief management. Hospice is providing comfort for terminally ill patients.
- Palliative care encourages advance care planning, including advance directives, through ongoing discussion among providers, patients and family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Palliative Care is right for me?
It may be right for you if you have a serious illness. It is appropriate at any stage of an illness. Remember, you can still receive curative treatment.
Will my insurance cover Palliative Care?
You can speak with your Care Manager to discuss coverage options.
Who can benefit from Palliative Care?
Everyone involved in the patient’s care can benefit. The team of doctors and nurses can benefit too as they are helping to reduce pain and discomfort to improve quality of life.
How can I get myself or a loved one enrolled in Palliative Care?
For more information about Palliative Care or Hospice, please speak with your physician or your AgeWell New York Care Manager.