When someone you love is facing a serious illness, every day can feel like a balancing act—between treatments and appointments, between pain and peace, between hope and uncertainty. But daily life doesn’t stop. Your loved one still needs to eat meals, move around, connect with others, and find joy where they can. That’s where palliative care can make a meaningful difference.
Palliative care is a specialized form of medical support focused on relieving the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses. It’s not about giving up; rather, it’s about improving quality of life—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—while continuing treatments aimed at curing the condition.
Whether your loved one is living with cancer, advanced heart disease, Parkinson’s, COPD, or another chronic illness, palliative care offers an extra layer of support to help manage daily challenges and enhance comfort. And it can be provided in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or through private in-home care services—allowing individuals to receive compassionate support in the comfort of their own homes.
What Symptoms Can Palliative Care Help With?
A palliative care team focuses on easing suffering, improving function, and supporting day-to-day living. Common symptoms and concerns addressed include:
These symptoms often affect not only the person with the illness but their entire family. Palliative care is designed to support both patients and caregivers during difficult times.
A Holistic, Personalized Approach to Care
What makes palliative care different is its whole-person approach. The care team often includes physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and chaplains. Their goal is to understand what matters most to your loved one—and tailor their care accordingly.
Treatment plans may include:
The goal is to relieve discomfort and help your loved one find more good moments in each day.
Who Can Receive Palliative Care—and When?
Unlike hospice, which is typically reserved for individuals near the end of life, palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness. It can begin at the time of diagnosis and continue alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments.
For example, someone undergoing chemotherapy for cancer can receive palliative care to help with fatigue, nausea, and emotional stress. A person with advanced heart disease might seek support for breathlessness or depression. You don’t need to wait until things get “bad enough”—if your loved one is struggling with symptoms, they may be a candidate for palliative care right now.
Think of it like this: just as someone with heart disease may see a cardiologist for specialized care, someone experiencing complex symptoms from a serious illness can benefit from seeing a palliative care provider.
How Geriatric Care Managers Can Help
Navigating serious illness can be overwhelming—for patients and family caregivers alike. Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs) play a critical role in coordinating care, advocating for your loved one’s needs, and connecting you with trusted providers, including palliative care specialists.
At LiveWell, our experienced care managers assess your loved one’s overall situation and help you determine whether palliative care might be a valuable part of their care plan. We’ll also assist with:
With the right support in place, your loved one can experience more comfort and dignity—even during difficult times.
Discover Comfort and Compassionate Support—At Home or In the Hospital
If your loved one is struggling with pain, fatigue, or emotional distress, it might be time to ask about palliative care. Relief is possible—and they don’t have to stop treatment to receive this kind of support.
