Compassionate Support Focused on Comfort, Dignity and Quality of Life
Palliative care is specialized, supportive care designed to improve comfort and quality of life for individuals living with serious or advanced illness.
At Concordia-IRMC VNA, palliative care treats the whole person – addressing physical symptoms, emotional concerns, spiritual needs and the stress that illness can place on patients and families.
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness and may be delivered alongside treatments intended to cure or manage disease. Care is guided by physician referrals and tailored to each individual’s goals, values and needs.
What Palliative Care Supports
Concordia-IRMC VNA’s palliative care program focuses on relief from symptoms and stress related to serious illness, helping patients live as fully and comfortably as possible at home.
Palliative care may support individuals experiencing:
- Pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea or appetite changes
- Anxiety, depression or emotional distress
- Complex decision-making related to care goals
This approach not only supports patients, but also provides guidance, reassurance and education for loved ones.
How Palliative Care Is Delivered
Palliative care is provided by an interdisciplinary team that may include nurses, social workers, spiritual care counselors and other clinicians working closely with the patient’s physician.
Services may include:
- Symptom management and comfort-focused care
- Medication review and coordination
- Emotional and spiritual support
- Goals-of-care conversations and advance care planning
- Coordination of services across care settings
- Support for families and caregivers
When appropriate, the palliative care team can also help guide a smooth transition to hospice services.
Home Health, Palliative Care and Hospice
Home health, palliative care and hospice each provide important support at different points along a person’s health journey.
Home health care is often focused on recovery and managing medical needs at home, while palliative care offers additional support for individuals living with a serious illness.
Hospice care is designed for those facing advanced illness when the focus shifts to comfort and quality of life.
Understanding these differences can help patients and families feel more confident in choosing the right level of care.
Our team is here to help guide you through these options and determine what best fits your needs.
Home Health Care vs. Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Home Health Care
- Skilled nursing and therapy at home
- Recovery after illness, injury or surgery
- Ongoing support for chronic conditionsPhysician-directed plan of care
- Covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance when eligibility criteria are met
Palliative Care
- Support for serious or complex illness
- Focus on comfort and symptom relief
- Can be provided alongside curative treatment
- Helps with care planning and coordination
- Provided as part of home health services with physician referral; covered when eligibility criteria are met
Hospice Care
- Care for individuals facing advanced illness
- Focus on comfort, dignity and quality of life
- Available when a physician determines hospice eligibility
- Medications, equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis are coordinated and provided
- Covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, as well as Medicaid and most private insurance plans when eligibility criteria are met