Palliative Care Services
864-255-1304
The Palliative Care consult service is designed
to fulfill the
mission of Bon Secours St. Francis
Health System: to
bring compassion to health
care and to
be of good help to those in need.
We do this through a dedicated team of
professionals who can help identify and
address the physical, emotional and spiritual
needs of the patient, family or caregivers. We
guide them through the course of illness by
providing information on treatment options
and resources available. We can also assist you with goals of care or
advanced
care planning
during the discharge process.
How do I know if Palliative Care is right for me?
Palliative Care may be right for you if you suffer from pain or other symptoms
due to a serious or
chronic illness, including:
COPD,
congestive heart
failure,
kidney disease,
cancer,
Parkinson’s disease,
Alzheimer’s or other related
dementias. Palliative Care services are appropriate for patients of any age and at any
stage of an illness and can be provided at the same time as curative treatment.
The Palliative Care team also works with the families and caregivers.
What can I expect from Palliative Care?
When you receive Palliative Care, you can expect relief from pain, shortness
of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping.
Palliative Care can improve your ability to carry on with your daily life and
toleration of medical treatment. We can help you and your caregivers to better
understand your condition and your choices for medical care. In short, you can
expect the best possible outcome of your illness.
Who provides Palliative Care?
- A Doctor who specializes in recommending medications or treatments to help relieve
pain and symptoms caused by illness or aggressive curative treatment.
- A Nurse Practitioner with advanced training in complex chronic illnesses, pain
and symptom management and advanced care planning.
- A Social Worker with advanced training in counseling patients and family members
about interpersonal issues, lifestyle changes, hospital discharge planning and
coordination of community resources.
- A Chaplain who offers spiritual and emotional support, counseling and coping
strategies for patients and family, according to their faith and individual needs.
- Music and Massage Therapists who provide physical and emotional relief from pain
and other symptoms caused by illness or aggressive curative treatment.
- Physical, Occupational, Respiratory, Speech and other Therapists as needed.
Where do I receive Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is available to patients admitted to
ST. FRANCIS downtown.
Does my insurance pay for Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is available to any patient, regardless of ability to pay. Most
insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or a portion of Palliative
Care treatment in the hospital.
How do I start getting Palliative Care?
Talk with
your primary physician or nurse and make your wishes known to family,
friends and
caregivers, then ask for a Palliative Care referral.
For more information
To request a consult or find out more,
call the Palliative Care office at
864-255-1304. For more information through the Center to
Advance Palliative Care,
visit their website.