The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Standards of Practice for Hospice Programs describes palliative care as: Treatment that enhances comfort and improves the quality of an individual’s life during the last phase of life.

No specific therapy is excluded from consideration. The test of palliative care lies in the agreement between the individual, physician(s), primary caregiver, and the hospice team that the expected outcome is relief from distressing symptoms, the easing of pain, and/or enhancing the quality of life. The decision to intervene with active palliative care is based on an ability to meet stated goals rather than affect the underlying disease.

An individual’s needs must continue to be assessed and all treatment options explored and evaluated in the context of the individual’s values and symptoms. The individual’s choices and decisions regarding care are paramount and must be followed.

When is palliative care needed?

Palliative care can help a patient at any stage of a life-limiting illness or condition.  Although it is best introduced early in the plan of care, it can be received at any time.  A patient may need palliative care and support if he or she: 

• Is suffering from symptoms that are hard to treat such as pain, nausea, fatigue, depression, anxiety.
• Needs help understanding treatment choices.
• Wants support when making difficult medical decisions

Palliative care has a number of benefits:

• Vigorous treatment of pain, symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, depression and anxiety throughout the illness.
• Keeping patients as comfortable and active as possible so they can pursue meaningful daily activities in the manner they desire.
• Emotional support for the patient, caregivers and family when needed. The hospice team develops a plan of care that the patient wishes to receive and ensures that the medical team coordinates with each other to provide that care. Team members also counsel patients, caregivers and family members when they are faced with difficult medical decisions or need emotional support.