Palliative care is:
Special care for people with a serious illness.
Care focused on relief of difficult symptoms, such as pain and stress.
Care that deals with the whole person. It may benefit your physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Care that helps you think about and understand your choices for health care.
Care that helps improve the quality of life for patients and their loved ones.
Patients of any age with a serious illness.
Someone who needs holistic care to relieve suffering.
Someone who wants support to understand treatment choices and how these choices may change their life.
Patients who are troubled by the effects of one or more chronic illnesses, such as:
Cancer
Heart or lung disease
Liver or kidney disease
Dementia
Diabetes
AIDS
Your care team works with your doctor to plan your care. They are nurses, social workers, doctors, spiritual care providers, home health aides, and pharmacists. The team may also include physical, occupational and speech therapists.
The first step is to talk to your doctor or your home care team. You may also call our palliative care coordinator. They will explain the services and help you choose the best ones for you.
We will help you and your loved ones understand your diseases and your options for care and treatment. When you decide what kind of care you want, you can write down your choices. This is called a health care directive, and it tells your care team how to provide the care you feel is best for you. It will apply to home care, hospital or any care setting.
The directive will speak for you, stating your wishes and values, even if you cannot speak for yourself in the future.
Each person's situation is unique. You may want palliative care when:
You have trouble managing an illness or questions about the future due to an illness.
You feel distressed by symptoms such as pain, depression, nausea, shortness of breath, tiredness or anxiety.
You have a desire to learn more about treatments and care choices.
You are having emotional concerns, such as loss of hope.
You need help thinking through tough medical decisions.
The family disagrees about the treatment plan.
You would like a mind, body and spirit approach to care.
You have had difficult stays in the hospital.
You do not feel ready for hospice care.
We will discuss insurance coverage with you. You may be covered by Medicare, Medical Assistance or other plans. You may also choose to pay privately for your care.
Metro area or Princeton: 612-728-2468 or toll-free 866-827-5039
Lakes Area: 651-257-8850 or toll-free 800-314-3328
The palliative care program is a part of your home care and provider care plans.
This program is one of a range of services that include home care, private duty nurses and aides, rehabilitation services, hospice care, and the personal emergency response system. We also offer care management services to help you understand the health care system and find health resources.
Fairview Home Care and Hospice
2450 26th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
110 S. 6th Ave.
Princeton, MN 55371
11725 Stinson Ave.
Chisago City, MN 55013
For informational purposes only. Not to replace the advice of your health care provider. Copyright © 2006 Fairview Health Services. All rights reserved. Clinically reviewed by Micki Schaefer, Director Patient Care Hospice. SMARTworks 508882 REV 11/19.
