What is Palliative Care Services?
To palliate means to make comfortable by treating the person's symptoms from an illness. Palliative Care Services provides care to the patient and support for the family when pain and other symptoms impair their quality of life. Anyone with a serious illness, regardless of diagnosis or life expectancy, can receive these services.

The Palliative Care team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and spiritual caregivers is focused on relieving pain or other distressing symptoms to patients with acute or chronic illness. It is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.

Palliative Care cane be provided in the home, nursing home, assisted living facility, or while the patient is in the hospital. Your attending physician continues to be involved with your care; the Palliative Care Services team emphasizes supportive care while your attending physician provides more aggressive treatment. Palliative Care Services address discomfort caused not only by the disease process itself, but also by curative treatments.

Palliative Care Hospital Consultations
The Palliative Care Services physician, nurse and social worker consult with patients and their families about issues of symptom management and advance planning. Consultations focus on helping patients and family members create goals of care and possible treatment options so informed decisions can be made.

Palliative Care Outpatient Services
Located in West Joliet, the Palliative Care Services Clinic offers out-patient assessment, consultation and treatment for patients with symptom management or advance planning issues. The clinic staff are experienced in alleviating symptoms such as pain, nausea, etc. as well as assisting with emotional and spiritual matters. In-home consultations are available upon request for patients that have difficulty leaving their home.

Palliative Care Services Team Members Are Able To:
• Consult with the patient's physician for pain and symptom management
• Provide psychological consultation related to issues dealing with the illness
• Help individuals interpret medical information and consider treatment options

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can receive Palliative Care Services? 
Anyone with a serious illness, regardless of life expectancy or treatment plan, can receive Palliative Care. It is also an alternative for
patients who are not emotionally or medically ready for hospice services.

I am interested in having the Palliative Care Services team support me during my illness, how do I get started?
A referral from your physician is required for Palliative Care Services to provide care to you. Depending on your need, Palliative Care Services can meet with you and your family the same day as the referral is received.

How are Palliative Care Services paid for?
Most Palliative Care Services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private
insurance carriers.

Can I have Home Health and Palliative Care Services at the same time?
Yes, you may use both services at the same time.

How long can I receive care? 
This will depend upon your care needs.  Palliative Care Services are intended to be in consultation with your regular physician.

Please call to speak with a member of the Palliative Care Services Team to answer any additional questions you may have at (815) 740-4104.