Palliative Care Program
Memorial Hospital recognizes living with a life-threatening illness impacts a person physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Not only is the patient affected, but the family as well. It is with this in mind that Memorial offers a Palliative Care program.
The goal of the Palliative Care Team is the achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families when faced with a life-threatening illness. Included in this goal is addressing the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their family. The Palliative Care Team is available to all patients admitted to Memorial.
Palliative care is a special kind of healthcare for people who are living with a life-threatening illness. The goal of palliative care is to provide the best quality of life for patients with advanced diseases or terminal illnesses. Patients may receive palliative care at any stage of their illness. It is best introduced early in your care and may be provided at the same time as curative treatments. This is different from hospice care, as a patient on hospice would no longer be seeking curative treatment.
Palliative care at Memorial can help in many ways. By working with your primary doctor, we provide:
- Treatment of pain and other symptoms.
- Close communication and compassionate care focused on you and your family>
- Emotional, Psychological and spiritual support for you and your family.
- Assistance in navigating the healthcare system.
- Guidance with difficult treatment choices and end of life care.
- Assistance in preparing advance directives and living wills.
- Coordination between inpatient and outpatient settings and discharge to other settings when appropriate.
- Better understanding of your condition and your choices for medical care.
To receive palliative care while in the hospital, please ask your nurse or doctor for a referral.
For more information about the Palliative Care program, contact Beth Johns, RN, BSN, CHPN at 618-257-4211.
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