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Beverly needed help when her 90-year-old husband Arthur began experiencing increasing feelings of anxiety and depression while being treated for a chronic heart condition. A licensed clinical social worker, she turned to Avow’s Palliative Care Program for guidance and support.
“The nurse practioner learned more about Arthur in one session than other physicians had in seeing him over many visits,” shares Beverly. “She also listened to my needs and concerns and came up with a plan that helped us both. It’s not an exaggeration when I say that Avow’s palliative care service saved two lives: mine and Arthur’s. Life is so much better now.”
While many are familiar with hospice and the compassionate end-of-life care it provides for those with terminal illnesses who no longer seek a cure for their condition or disease, non-hospice palliative care has emerged as an option to provide comfort care for chronically or seriously ill patients, even if they are still seeking curative treatment. Both hospice and palliative care focus on easing suffering and improving a patient’s quality of life by treating their mind, body, and spirit.
November is Hospice & Palliative Care Month. Established in 1983 by Collier County volunteers and community members as the county’s first hospice, Avow is the top-rated hospice in the county, according to Medicare Compare. In 2003, the nonprofit health care organization expanded its services beyond hospice care and bereavement support, pioneering the delivery of palliative care to the Southwest Florida community. Last year, Avow staff had 1,578 patient visits, and is on track to do approximately 2,500 visits for 2023.
How Palliative Care Works
Palliative care provides comfort for individuals living with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease and kidney failure. These patients often face persistent, increasing suffering with challenges like pain, shortness of breath, drowsiness, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety related to their disease or treatment. The primary purpose of palliative care is to help alleviate the patient’s physical symptoms and emotional distress, improving their quality of life as they continue treatment.
Avow’s multidisciplinary palliative care team includes an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), physician, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and can also include a spiritual counselor and licensed massage therapist. This team meets with the patient and family to complete an initial evaluation and then creates a customized palliative care plan to complement the patient’s primary treatment plan, sharing recommendations with the patient’s primary care physician and/or other physicians including their specialist. Patients can receive their initial evaluation and any ongoing palliative care services at Avow’s outpatient center or, for bedbound patients, in their home.
In addition to symptom relief, benefits of palliative care include the following:
• Education and open discussion about treatment choices and symptom management
• Improved communication and coordination of care with all the patient’s healthcare providers
• Emotional support for the patient and family
“The palliative care team supports not only the patient, but also those who love them,” explains Avow Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Eileen Crowley. “It helps the patient and family set goals for the future that lead to a more meaningful, enjoyable life while the patient continues to receive treatment for their illness.”
Other Ways Hospice and Palliative Care Differ
Palliative care patients may or may not have a terminal illness. However, they usually have a life expectancy longer than six months while hospice patients must have a prognosis of six months or less. Furthermore, while both hospice and palliative care can be billed to Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party payors, palliative care may be used at any point during the course of an illness without the qualification restrictions required for hospice care coverage.
Seeking Support
Despite their differences, both palliative and hospice care aim to acknowledge, relieve and prevent persistent suffering. They can be requested by anyone and do not require a physician referral. In addition, patients are not required to have advance directives such as a living will, Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) or healthcare surrogate designation in place to receive either hospice or palliative care.
“We believe in meeting patients where they are,” shares Crowley. “Whether its hospice care or palliative care, our team strives to give patients and their caregivers peace of mind by providing them with the individualized, compassionate care and support they need.”
For more information about Avow’s hospice or palliative care services, visit www.avowcares.org or call 239-280-2288.
Avow
www.avowcares.org
239-280-2288
