Palliative Care

What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care (PC) is a team support available to patients in the later stages of a serious disease.  The team is established to improve the quality of life for patients and families by telling them about their choices and giving them the power to make important decisions about end-of-life issues.

Who Is the Palliative Care Team?

The Palliative Care Team (PCT) includes the patient and family, the Primary Care Physician, Clinical Nurse, Specialist, Registered Nurse, Case Manager, Pharmacist and Chaplain.  Support team members may also include Florida Hospital Home Care, Hospice and physician specialty groups.

How Can the PCT Help Me and My Family?

• The PCT will provide the highest quality of care while preserving your patient rights, privacy and dignity.  They will also:
• Help relieve your symptoms and suffering.
• Involve and educate you in end-of-life issues.
• Offer an on-call service for feedback and advice.
• Make sure you receive highly coordinated care and the right setting.
• Offer you a wide range of services to meet the needs of the whole person - body, mind and spirit.
• Help lower cost to the patient and family.
• Offer you a partnership with hospice.
• Offer patient referrals to community agencies.

• Offer grief and bereavement follow-up to your family.

What Community Resources are Available To Me and My Family?

• At your first meeting, the Case Manager has available upon request a list of the community resources and support services.
• The Community Resource Hotline - dial 211 - is available 24 hours a day or online at www.CSNetwrok.org.
• Grief resources are available through Pastoral Care. Please call 407-303-1553.

How Can I Share the Choices I Have Made?

There are legal medical documents that make your important end-of-life choices known to your family and doctors in the event you are unable to speak for yourself.  These forms are called Advance Directives. They are available from any member of your health care team.