Palliative Care is a medical specialty aimed at decreasing or eliminating pain and other symptoms associated with a serious illness. (Palliative is pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv)

Palliative care should not be confused with hospice care. Palliative care is not just given at end-of-life or in a hospice setting. Palliative care can be given at the same time medical care is given to cure the health condition. In fact, palliative care can be given at any time, anywhere the patient is. For instance, palliative care can be given at home, in a hospital, in a nursing home or in an assisted living facility.

Palliative care can be given by the doctor who treats your disease, or it can be given by a doctor who specializes in palliative care (a palliative care specialist.)

Palliative care is usually given by a team which includes a palliative care doctor, nurses and other professionals. According to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the palliative care team does the following:

• Provides relief from pain and other uncomfortable symptoms.
• Assists you in making difficult medical decisions.
• Coordinates care with your other doctors and helps you navigate the often-complex healthcare system.
• Guides you in making a plan for living well, based on your needs, concerns and goals for care.
• Provides you and your loved ones emotional and spiritual support and guidance.

If your doctor or hospital does not offer palliative care, you can find it through the following resources (in alphabetical order):

• The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, www.palliativedoctors.org
• The Caregiving Resource Center of AARP:  www.aarp.org/caregivers
• The Center To Advance Palliative Care, www.getpalliativecare.org

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