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Palliative
Care Program
The Palliative Care Program
at Southeastern Med is dedicated to providing the best quality of
life for persons with advanced or chronic illness by insuring their
comfort and dignity.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is a team approach that aims to relieve symptoms and
improve quality of life for patients and families. In conjunction
with medical treatments, Palliative Care educates patients and
families about their chronic disease or illness. Understanding what
the disease is and how it may affect you physically and mentally is
a vital part in learning to manage and control the symptoms while
preserving dignity.
Illnesses can become chronic diseases lasting a few months to
several years with expensive medical treatments and multiple
hospitalizations. One of the goals of the Palliative Care Program is
early management through a blend of pharmacology, relaxation
techniques, visual/guided imagery, and behavioral interventions.
Many of these illnesses can be effectively managed outpatient,
controlling symptoms before the need for hospitalization, decreasing
the financial burden on patients and allowing them to control the
illness, not the illness to control them.
Who is on the Palliative Care Team?
The Palliative Care Program includes nurses, social workers,
chaplains, respiratory therapist, pharmacists, and a physician
advisor. Coordination of care with case managers between inpatient
and outpatient settings such as home health, hospice, or extended
care facilities, allows the team to focus on you as a whole: mind,
body, and spirit.
Does Palliative Care mean end of life?
No. Palliative Care can include end of life issues such as the
understanding of living wills, healthcare power of attorney,
organ/tissue donation, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and
nutrition/hydration concern. Through support and education, the
patient and family can understand what a person’s choices are and
what they do or do not want done medically as their disease
progresses. Every individual has the right to be their own advocate,
to make these decisions on what they want. Coping with an advanced
or chronic illness can often be difficult and confusing. You and
your family may have questions about your illness or the choices you
have. Southeastern Meds Palliative Care Program offers explanations,
choices, and support.
For more information on the Palliative Care Program, call
740-439-8000 ext 8688.
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