Palliative Care

Why Methodist?

Our palliative care specialists can meet with you in the hospital or clinic settings and via telehealth. In Fremont, our specialists can also meet with you in the home or at assisted living facilities. Using a team approach to your care, we work collaboratively with your primary care provider and specialists to:

• Discuss your health care goals and needs
• Give emotional and spiritual support for you and your family
• Help you navigate the health care system
• Offer guidance with difficult and complex treatment choices
• Provide expert management of pain and other symptoms

Who Benefits

Palliative care might be right for you if you suffer from a serious disease, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
• Cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease and heart failure
• Renal failure
• Other chronic, life-limiting or life-threatening medical conditions

A palliative care consultation can be requested by any provider and is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Differences Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care

Palliative care is not hospice care. Palliative care may be for patients who are still receiving treatment for an illness, while hospice care is for patients who are terminally ill. The two are often confused because both focus on symptom management and provide patients comfort. Palliative care can begin at the time a patient is diagnosed with a serious illness and can extend through hospice.

We encourage you to start a conversation with your health care provider and loved ones regarding your health care choices through advance directives, which may include: 

• Power of Attorney for health care: This designates someone to make medical decisions.
• Living will: This provides guidance regarding the type of medical care that is desired or not desired.