Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with serious or life-limiting illnesses. The goal of palliative care is to provide relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of the illness, and to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.
Palliative care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals who work together to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient.
This team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists. Palliative care can be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, hospices, and in the patient’s own home. It is not the same as hospice care, which is specifically for people who are nearing the end of their lives.
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness and can be used in combination with other medical treatments. The focus of palliative care is on enhancing the patient’s quality of life, regardless of their prognosis.