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Palliative care is both a philosophy of care and an organized, highly structured system for delivering care.
St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Palliative Care team affirms life and regards dying as a natural process and works with patients, families/caregivers and medical professionals to coordinate care, family goals and comfort. You or your family can request a visit from Palliative Care. Please ask your nurse, physician or a member of the hospital staff to contact us at (765) 446-4838.
Being hospitalized with a serious illness can be a confusing and difficult time. Patients and families need information on their illness, treatments, choices, access to reliable care and relief from distressing symptoms. At St. Elizabeth Regional Health, our Palliative Care Team works with the primary care physician to improve the lives of our patients and their families.
Is Palliative Care right for me?
Palliative Care is for any person with a serious illness. It can start at the same time your illness is diagnosed and continue through your illness regardless of prognosis. Palliative Care can be provided during curative treatment.
Is Palliative Care hospice?
No. Hospice benefits patients who are no longer seeking curative treatment and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Palliative Care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness.
Who is the Palliative Care Team?
The team consists of a physician, advance practice nurse, certified palliative care nurse, as well as staff from Spiritual Care and Social Work/Case Management. Other services such as physical therapy, speech therapy and pharmacy are available as needed. The team works with your primary physician to meet your needs and provide the highest quality care.
What are the goals of Palliative Care?
The Palliative Care Team provides:
• Better understanding of conditions, choices for care and assistance regarding illness.
• Relief and expert treatment from distressing symptoms such as pain, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation and difficulty sleeping.
• Assistance obtaining care after hospitalization.
• Integration of emotional, psychological and spiritual support for you and your loved ones.
• Help with advance care planning, establishment of patient and family goals, and difficult decision making.
• Help attaining the best quality of life while dealing with a serious illness.
• Help navigating the health care system.
• Assistance with decisions to initiate or discontinue treatments.
• Close communication and compassionate care.
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