Blue Ridge Hospice


Palliative Care

Overview | FAQ | Your Team | Tips | Program Contact Information

 

 

 

 IN THE NEWS!!  

PALLIATIVE CARE: NEW WAY TO OFFER OLD FASHIONED CARE 

FEATURE ARTICLE IN THE WINCHESTER STAR - JAN 14, 2013:  http://www.winchesterstar.com/articles/print_preview/palliative_care_new_way_to_offer_old_fashioned_care

 

MAKING THE PAIN BEARABLE

FEATURE ARTICLE IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY - DEC 17, 2012:  http://www.nvdaily.com/news/2012/12/making-the-pain-bearable.php

 

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. Palliative medicine is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis.  Palliative medicine strives to treat the whole person aiming to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, while improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Unlike hospice care, palliative medicine is appropriate for patients seeking treatment for curable illnesses and those living with chronic diseases.  

Palliative Medicine Consultants offers a specialized team to work with a patient’s current physician(s). Our team is an added layer of support. This team consists of a palliative care physician, nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker and chaplain.  The palliative care team of specialists spends as much time as necessary with you and your family. The team supports you and your family every step of the way, not only by helping to manage your symptoms, but also assisting you to understand your treatment options and goals.

To learn more about how Palliative Care can make a difference click HERE.

The list of questions below provides answers to common questions about  palliative care.  For more information please contact us: 540-313-9220. 

Back to Top

Who can benefit from Palliative Medicine?

Patients with serious illnesses, including, but not limited to:

    • Metastatic or recurrent cancer
    • Dementia
    • Liver disease
    • Advanced COPD
    • HIV/AIDS
    • Cardiac disease
    • Stroke
    • Renal disease
    • Persistent coma
    • ALS
    • Parkinson's
    • Crohn's disease
    • MS


Patients with uncontrolled physical symptoms, including, but not limited to:

    • Pain
    • Delirium
    • Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
    • Insomnia
    • Nausea (and/or vomiting)
    • Anxiety
    • Agitation
    • Cough


Patients and/or families wishing to discuss:

    • Advance care planning
    • Goals of therapy
    • Comfort-directed therapy
    • Withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, and/or other forms of artificial life support

 

Back to Top