Palliative care is specialized care for people with serious illnesses. It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stresses of a serious illness – whatever the diagnosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.

The Providence palliative care team includes a range of care providers, including the patient’s primary care physician and other medical experts, pharmacists, dietitians, social and mental health professionals, and spiritual care providers. This team of specialists approaches each person’s care with creativity and empathy, meeting with the patient as well as family members to understand individual treatment goals and develop a plan that helps the patient and family members better manage physical, emotional and spiritual concerns.

Palliative care is provided to patients who are hospitalized in the medical center as well as to those who have returned home after treatment for their illness or who have transitioned to other care facilities in the community.