When to Begin Palliative Care

If you or a loved one has a serious illness, palliative care is available to help at any stage of the illness, regardless of prognosis or life expectancy. It can be used in conjunction with curative treatments, and can help alleviate symptoms, relieve pain, and reduce side effects of treatments for both the patient and their family.

Palliative care can also help patients tolerate treatments, increase their health and well-being, and can be beneficial for older individuals with discomforts and disabilities. The ideal time to start palliative care is immediately after diagnosis, in order to receive the most benefit. However, it's still useful to start even if you have waited for some time.

Palliative care involves a healthcare team that increases comfort, wellness, and quality of life for individuals with a serious illness, as well as providing support for their families. It can be provided at any stage of an illness and focuses on a variety of issues such as pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and more. The team is led by a palliative care physician and nurse practitioner who provide a coordinated approach to care.

Anyone with a serious illness can benefit from palliative care, including individuals with cancer, heart failure, lung disease, diabetes, kidney failure, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and more. Family members can also benefit from the support provided by the team.

Palliative care can be received in the provider's office or the hospital. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance may cover the cost of palliative care, while military veterans can receive it through the Department of Veterans Affairs. If your doctor believes you have six months or less to live, you may be eligible for hospice care, which is a form of palliative care for individuals near the end of life.

If you're in Los Angeles County or Orange County and have questions about palliative care, you can contact us for more information.