What is Community-Based Palliative Care?
Our UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group community-based palliative care program aims to treat your physical, mental and spiritual needs while attempting to improve your quality of life as you navigate your chronic illness.
Our team comes to you, providing palliative care services in the comfort of your home across most of the Chicagoland area. We also treat patients in the hospital, independent and assisted-living facilities, and select long-term and nursing facilities. Your palliative care team may include a physician, nurse practitioner, triage nurse, social worker and other support staff who communicate with your doctor to ensure you’re receiving optimal care and have the resources you need.
Comprehensive Palliative Care for Your Whole Health
Palliative care can occur at the same time as other treatments for your illness, so there’s no reason to wait. Some studies have shown that palliative care may extend your life.
Through a combination of pain management techniques, mental healthcare and spiritual support, our team will work to address your whole health and ensure your treatment plan helps you feel like yourself again.
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Dedicated Treatment
We offer expert treatment for symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and much more.
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Prioritizing Your Goals
Our at-home palliative care teams offer in-depth communication with you and your family about your goals, concerns and treatment options, as well as how to decide what course of action is right for you.
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Lifting Your Spirit
Tending to the whole person includes caring for your mental and spiritual needs during hard times. That’s why we offer emotional, practical and spiritual support for you and your family.
Find Your Palliative Care Support Team
Our community-based palliative care team is committed to helping you manage serious, chronic conditions with confidence and grace. We’ll be here for you every step of the way. Talk to your primary care physician about your interest in palliative care and request a referral today.
Palliative Care FAQs
Palliative care brings together important resources for patients and their families to face serious health diagnoses with confidence, comfort and grace. Whether you’re wondering if your loved one needs palliative care or hospice care, or when palliative care may be needed, learn more below.
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Q:Question: What is palliative care?
A:Answer:Palliative care means offering relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of chronic illnesses.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerFor patients who face a serious illness, palliative care improves their quality of life and supports their loved ones, too. Palliative care focuses on the prevention and relief of symptoms by early identification, impeccable assessment and compassionate treatment of physical, mental and spiritual issues.
This palliative definition from the World Health Organization (WHO) focuses on meeting the whole-health needs of patients and their families. And that’s exactly what we do at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth. You can count on us to be here for you, helping you understand your diagnosis, connecting you with resources and support and ensuring you feel comfortable at every step of your treatment plan.
Our palliative care teams support:
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart disease
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
- Kidney disease
- Lung disease
- Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
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Q:Question: What does palliative care mean?
A:Answer:Palliative care supports you and your family as you navigate your physical, mental and spiritual health needs.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerPalliative care means we’re here to address every aspect of your health — physical, mental and spiritual — as you face your condition.
Both community-based and in-hospital services provide discussions about your preferences for care, advanced care planning as well as:
- Comfort care
- Emotional support
- Improving quality of life
- Offering symptom relief
- Physical and psychosocial relief
- Reducing stress
- Spiritual care, if desired
Both palliative care programs offer important resources and support for your family to help you on your journey. Each care plan is tailored to your specific needs, but plans often include:
- Affirmation of life
- Bereavement care
- Education on disease and diagnosis
- Family support
- Home help with transportation, meals or shopping
- Pain relief
- Physical care
- Psychological care
- Respite care
- Spiritual care
- Treatment management
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Q:Question: What is the difference between in-hospital and community-based palliative care?
A:Answer:The main difference between these two services is the location where care is given.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIn-hospital palliative care, offered at our UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale and La Grange hospitals, will likely include many health professionals, including:
- Case management members
- Chaplains
- ICU and therapy teams
- Nurse practitioners
These experts collaborate to address your whole health. Using a combination of pain management techniques, mental health care and spiritual support, we’ll ensure your treatment plan helps you feel like yourself again.
Community-based palliative care, offered through UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group, will likely include health professionals such as:
- Collaborating physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Social workers
- Triage nurses
Our community-based team sees most of their patients in their own homes across the Chicagoland area. They also care for patients in hospitals, independent living, assisted living and long-term care nursing facilities.
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Q:Question: What’s the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
A:Answer:Hospice care aims to comfort patients during their last days, while palliative care assists with everyday needs for those facing serious illnesses.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerPalliative and hospice care are often confused but aren’t the same thing. Hospice care focuses on end-of-life care, offering dignity and comfort during a loved one’s final days. In contrast, palliative care focuses on helping you live every day to its fullest during any stage of health.
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Q:Question: Does Medicare cover palliative care services?
A:Answer:Medicare covers some palliative care services, but it’s best to speak to your local hospital's financial assistance team.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerUnderstanding what services are covered by insurance, including Medicare, can feel overwhelming. Some palliative care services may be covered by certain Medicare plans. However, the best place to begin understanding your coverage is to speak to the financial assistance office at your local hospital.
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth is committed to helping you understand your insurance benefits, including what palliative care services are covered by Medicare.