Get relief from symptoms of chronic diseases with palliative care

People who are diagnosed with an acute or chronic serious illness go through a lot of stress — from learning how to deal with the illness to its symptoms, healthcare costs and everything in between.

Palliative care provides support for those suffering from pain or other symptoms of chronic diseases.

For which chronic diseases does palliative care help relieve symptoms?

Palliative care is used to treat symptoms of the following illnesses, but is not limited to these illnesses alone:

• ALS
• Alzheimer's disease
• Cancer
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Dementia
• Heart disease (CHF, CAD)
• HIV/AIDS
• Liver or kidney disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Progressive Neurological Disease
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Stroke/CVA
• Other chronic disease

Which symptoms can chronic disease management help treat?

Palliative care can help manage the following symptoms of chronic disease:

• Agitation and restlessness
• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Pain
• Shortness of breath

What do palliative care partners do?

Patients can expect to receive physical, emotional and spiritual support from their palliative care partners. CareBridge's nurse practitioners are trained in palliative care, and spend time with patients to focus on relieving symptoms that are affecting their quality of life.

The team will assess the patient's pain level and other symptoms, then help them and their family understand treatment options and set goals. CareBridge's palliative team helps patients gain more control over their healthcare, and provide comfortable, supportive atmospheres.

How often do our care partners visit?

Based on the patient's needs, nurse practitioners visit up to two times per month. Social workers and chaplains are available upon request. Visits occur during regular business hours and are not available during nights or weekends.

How do I pay for palliative care for chronic illness?

It will depend on the patient's individual plan, but palliative care is usually covered by private insurance companies, and Medicare covers all palliative charges.