What Is a Palliative Care Consultation?
A palliative care consultation is a medical service that helps patients with serious illnesses manage symptoms, improve comfort, and make informed healthcare decisions. Unlike hospice care, palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments at any stage of an illness.
What does palliative care include?
- Symptom Management: Helps relieve pain, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and other distressing symptoms.
- Emotional and Psychological Support: Offers counseling and support for patients and families coping with serious illness.
- Advance Care Planning: Assists in making decisions about treatment options, care preferences, and legal documents like advance directives.
- Care Coordination: Works with doctors, nurses, and other specialists to align care with a patient’s goals and values.
Who can benefit from a palliative care consultation?
- Individuals and seniors with severe chronic illnesses: For patients with conditions like cancer, heart failure, lung disease, or neurological disorders, palliative care helps manage pain, fatigue, nausea, and other issues affecting quality of life.
- Caregivers and family members: Palliative care teams provide emotional support for families and guidance on managing a loved one’s condition
- Medicare beneficiaries: Coverage is available as part of hospice benefits or under standard medical services when ordered by a doctor.
How Solace can help
A Solace advocate can help coordinate palliative care consultations, explain insurance coverage options, and connect patients with resources for symptom management and emotional support. Advocates can also assist in navigating Medicare and Medicaid benefits to ensure access to needed care.
What to do next
Need help coordinating palliative care, understanding coverage options, or finding local support services? Find an advocate today.