|
|
|
|
Department of Family and Community Medicine
1015 Walnut Street, Suit 401
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-955-1807
Download Brochure (PDF)
|
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is a medical specialty focused on relief and prevention of pain and other symptoms including emotional reactions
that make day-today life difficult. The Palliative Care Service offers expert advice and support to help you live as well
as possible with a serious or life threatening illness.
What can Palliative Care Offer You?
Expert Advice for Pain and Other Symptoms
Symptoms such as pain, nausea, shortness of breath or anxiety can make it difficult to live well during serious illness. The
Palliative Care Service can advise you and your physician on medications, treatments, including nontraditional treatments,
or referrals to other specialists to help you feel better.
Supporting You and Your family
Coping with a serious illness can be stressful for you and your family. The loss of the ability to function normally can cause
frustration, anxiety and even anger at yourself or your loved ones. When this happens, you may want information about your
illness, emotional support, or just someone to listen as you relay your feelings. The Palliative Care Service wants to learn
about you as a person, understand your concerns and offer support during these times.
Assistance with Decision-Making
Medical care is increasingly complex. During the course of your illness, you and your family may be asked to consider treatments
by various specialists. The Palliative Care Service can help you better understand your choices and think about how these
options match with your goals and your current situation. We sit down with you and help you talk this through in clear, helpful
ways that emphasize what you want to happen as a result. We can then bring together the right team of people to address all
of your needs.
Communication in a Family Meeting
Many patients and families find it helpful to sit down together with their doctors, nurses and other care providers to bring
up questions or concerns. The Palliative Care Service can help facilitate this communication.
Planning for Your Care
Care for your illness can be provided in a variety of settings: at home with home care services, in a skilled nursing facility,
at a physical rehabilitation center or with hospice. Our team works with your physician, case manager or social worker to
plan for care that matches your goals and situation so you can live well.
How does Palliative Care Get Involved?
The Palliative Care Service works in partnership with your doctor and other Jefferson staff such as nurses, social workers,
case managers, chaplains and pharmacists to help you. Whether you are in the hospital or your Jefferson physician’s office,
your physician can request a Palliative Care consultation for advice and assistance.
Are Palliative Care and Hospice the Same?
No, palliative care is quite different from hospice. Palliative Care can be helpful at any point in your illness, from the
time of initial diagnosis to its final stages. Relief of your symptoms, assistance with decision making, and emotional support
can help you feel better so you can continue treatment and get on with your life. Hospice provides palliative care too. However,
hospice is for patients who choose not to continue curative treatment and who are expected to live only six months or less.
The Palliative Care Service or your case manager can answer your questions about hospice.
In the News
Philadelphia Magazine Rates Jefferson a Center of Excellence in Local Palliative Care
Philadelphia Magazine rated Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as one of the best places to go, in the Philadelphia area, for
treatment of 24 out of 44 diseases, including palliative care.
