Evergreen receives $100,000 grant to expand palliative care; what is palliative care?

Kirkland, WA – Evergreen Healthcare Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from the Regence Foundation in support of Evergreen Hospital Medical Center’s innovative program to extend palliative care into nursing homes and residential settings. Palliative care is a medical specialty that helps seriously ill patients manage disease symptoms.

“We believe people should have access to palliative care in whatever setting they find most appropriate for them, not just in hospitals,” said Bob Malte, CEO of Evergreen. “The Regence Foundation Grant will make palliative care more readily available in our communities.”    Source:   Evergreen Press Release, 3/23

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What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is the medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life of people facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on pain and symptom management, communication and coordinated care. Palliative care is appropriate from the time of diagnosis and can be provided along with curative treatment.
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Ensures quality of life
It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Palliative care treats people suffering from serious and chronic illnesses including cancer, cardiac disease like Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), kidney failure, Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

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Palliative care relieves symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. It helps you gain the strength to carry on with daily life. It improves your ability to tolerate medical treatments. And it helps you to better understand your choices for care.

Provided by a team
Usually a team of experts, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers, provides this care. Chaplains, massage therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, you personal physician and others may also be part of the palliative care team.

Source:  Palliative Care.org