We offer comprehensive quality palliative care to adults with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness so they may live fully and comfortably. Our palliative care team works closely with you and your physician to provide skilled management of your pain and other symptoms. Visits are provided in the comfort, privacy and familiarity of your home.
When Palliative Care is Right for You
With a physician’s referral, palliative care can start from the moment you are diagnosed, even if you continue to receive active treatment.
These patient-centered services can be provided from the point of diagnosis of a life-threatening, chronic or life-limiting illness, not just in the last days of life. Palliative care may be a good option if you, or your family member, are not ready for traditional hospice care because you:
- Wish to pursue active treatment such as chemotherapy
- Have an illness whose course is difficult to predict
- May still wish to receive life-saving measures
- Expect to live longer than hospice guidelines suggest
Palliative Care Services
- Pain and symptom management
- Help with advance care planning
- Psychosocial support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
Palliative and hospice care are care options for persons with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses that emphasize comfort and quality of life. Palliative care offers pain and symptom management for anyone with a serious illness, regardless of life expectancy, and can be provided along with curative care at the same time. Hospice care is an option when you have decided not to seek curative care and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Learn more about
Hospice Care at CVHHH here.
What are the benefits of palliative care?
Palliative care can help and support in making difficult health care choices. Your family’s wishes and goals are the focus of the care, and there is support given to your entire family to cope with the illness.
Who provides these services?
Depending on your specific needs, a team of skilled professionals may consist of:
- Registered nurses
- Home health providers
- Social workers
- Licensed Nursing Assistant
When are these services available?
We are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with day and evening visits scheduled and on-call services at night.
How do I access these services?
A patient or family member can request home health care. However, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances require a physician’s order for certified home health. If your physician agrees you would benefit from home health, he/she will make a referral to a certified home health agency and will authorize a treatment plan, commonly called a plan of care. If you have any questions about palliative care services, please contact Derek Kouwenhoven, RN, Director of Clinical Services, by using the contact box in the upper-right corner of this page.
Have questions about palliative care?
Call Karen Wright, MSW, Interim Hospice Manager, or use the contact form to the upper right.
802-224-2240
