Does Your Loved One Qualify for Palliative Care? A Checklist

A pain-free short trip to the beach to watch the sunset.

A chance to laugh and enjoy favorite activities while at home.

Not having to worry about coordinating care among your health care providers.

These may not be the first things you think about when you hear the words “palliative care,” but they are all vital elements of the services we provide to our patients who seek help managing chronic and serious diseases.

However, there’s often some confusion over who qualifies for palliative care. That’s why we’ll provide an in-depth look at palliative care, who qualifies and how it benefits patients. We’ll also tackle some of your FAQs to ensure you have the answers you need and deserve.

Not sure what kind of care may be right for you or your loved one? You’re not in this alone. Simply complete this form to discover the information you need.

Who Qualifies for Palliative Care?

Anyone who is diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness can receive palliative care. 

Remember, you or your loved one can qualify at any age or any stage of the illness. You can also receive palliative care while receiving curative treatment. 

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care that improves quality of life by providing symptom and pain management to those of any age who have a serious or chronic illness. Our nurse practitioners will visit patients as needed to assess their needs. 

In addition, palliative care:

• Reduces hospitalizations
• Results in a shorter hospital stay if an individual is hospitalized
• Helps coordinate care between health care professionals
• Provides information on advance directives and planning
• Works with your physician
• Provides pain relief
• Helps control your symptoms

While we serve patients in their homes, we also care for them where they currently live, whether that’s a hospital, an assisted living or skilled nursing facility.

However, there may still be some confusion over who qualifies for palliative care, so we’ve provided this useful checklist.

A Checklist to Determine if Your Loved One Qualifies for Palliative Care:

• Has your loved one been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness?
• Does this illness require pain management or ongoing care?
• Does your loved one have physical pain that is not under control?
• Is your loved one having a difficult time emotionally coping with this illness?
• Does your loved one find it hard to understand their illness?
• Does your loved one have advanced care planning in place so someone will know their wishes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should contact us for a referral and more information on how palliative care can help you or your loved one.

There is no reason to wait. 

Our palliative care professionals understand that pain and other symptoms affect your loved one’s quality of life and can leave those you love lacking the energy or motivation to pursue enjoyable activities. 

We also know that the stress of what you’re going through can have a big impact on your family, and we can assist you and your loved ones as you cope with the experience of living with a serious illness

We Are the Area’s Most Experienced and Trusted Palliative Care Provider

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice) ranked higher than the national average in all eight categories as rated by caregivers on a hospice quality survey. We’re also the hospice of choice for New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.

“My husband received exceptional care,” said the wife of one of our patients. “Everyone was compassionate, competent, and caring. They were all very professional and reassuring. My questions were answered quickly.”

How Do I Get Started? 

We’ve provided a list below to help you through the process of getting palliative care. Remember that anyone can make a referral: your doctor, a relative, a neighbor—you can even refer yourself!

1. Talk to your doctor about palliative care. Remember that you can access palliative care at any point after your diagnosis.
2. Obtain a referral. Remember that you can refer others and even refer yourself to hospice care.
3. All you need to do is complete this referral form. We will get in touch with you to determine how we can best serve the one you love.

While a Living Will or Health Care Power of Attorney is not needed to begin palliative care, it is important to have a conversation with your family and loved ones about your wishes, should you one day not be able to express them. You can find more information on these resources at Begin the Conversation.

Multiple Chronic Illnesses: Palliative Care Can Improve Quality of Life

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, are prevalent throughout the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 6 in 10 Americans have at least one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more. 

That number rises to 3 in 4 of those who are 65 and older.  In addition, 12% have at least five chronic illnesses.

While some chronic illnesses can be successfully managed, others can become serious and life-limiting, such as kidney disease, heart disease and COPD. 

That’s where our palliative care services come in, helping improve the quality of life not just for our patients, but for their entire family.

Studies Show That Palliative Care Not Only Improves Quality of Life, but May Also Prolong Patient Survival

The earlier in the disease process that palliative care is incorporated into the disease treatment, the greater the potential for benefits.

Palliative care is a medical specialty that focuses on improving life and providing comfort to anyone with serious, chronic, and life-threatening illness, regardless of age. It is available from the time of diagnosis while curative treatments are ongoing. It can help you cope with aggressive treatments to help you fight the disease.

It also offers help, support and coordination of care between providers, and assists with discussions about goals of care.

How Does Palliative Care Work?

Palliative care improves the quality of life for patients, families, and caregivers. Palliative care providers work with your current doctor to help you deal with the stress and burden of your illness. 

It is a team approach to care that puts you back in control of your life, and is generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance providers.

As an area expert in the field of pain and symptom management, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice) began offering palliative care a few years ago. 

Since that time, LCFH has seen a dramatic increase (more than 50 percent in the last year alone) in the number of palliative care patients it serves, as providers and patients learn more about the benefits of this type of care in treating chronic illnesses.

If you have been diagnosed with a chronic, serious, or life-threatening disease, ask your doctor about palliative care.

Those interested in knowing more about palliative care, its benefits, and, specifically, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s palliative care program should contact the agency directly for more information and assistance in getting a physician’s referral.

Be Informed. Know Your Options for Care. Let Us Be a Resource for You

We’ve reviewed the benefits of palliative care, who qualifies and how it can help you or your loved one. But how do you access it from your home? We explore this and some of your most frequently asked questions next.

How to Access Hospice and Palliative Care From Home

We believe your home is associated with a special dignity. You’re surrounded by cherished mementos and photographs of family members, each one bringing back memories of treasured occasions or that wonderful vacation. Familiarity provides comfort.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice) ensures that you can easily access hospice and palliative care resources from your home. 

We are the area’s longest operating nonprofit hospice, and we serve more than 6,000 families each year.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Has Been Recognized for Excellence

Our reputation is reflected in stellar patient satisfaction scores— we rank above the national average in all eight categories on a national caregivers’ survey. These categories included areas such as “emotional and spiritual support” and “treating patients with respect.” The scores reflect that 92 percent would recommend Lower Cape Fear LifeCare to others.

What Type of Care Is Available at Home?

Both hospice care and palliative care are available at home with the goal of making you or your loved one as comfortable as possible. We accomplish this by managing pain and other illness-related symptoms, as well as providing support and coordination of care.

Our Palliative Care Nurses Bring Compassionate Care to You

Our palliative care nurse practitioners will visit you as needed in your home to assess your needs and provide a tailored plan of pain and symptom management.  You do not have to leave your current physician to receive Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s palliative care services.

How Can You Access Palliative Care From Home?

To start the process, all you have to do is complete a referral form.

How Do I Know What Kind of Care Is Right for Me or My Loved One?

Many people confuse hospice and palliative care as being the same. While both are based on care practices of managing pain and symptoms, knowing which care is appropriate can help people access care earlier in the disease process for improved quality of life and longer life.

Here are some distinctive differences between hospice and palliative care: 

Hospice and Palliative Care Are Not the Same

• Hospice care is for those who have six months or less to live, while palliative care can begin at any age and any stage of the illness.
• In palliative care, you can still seek curative treatments. However, in hospice, you can only receive comfort care.

To find out if palliative care is appropriate for you or your loved one, call us at 1-800-733-1476.

A Tradition of Dedication to Our Patients Since 1980

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Never Refuses Care Based on Ability to Pay

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare has served patients and their families throughout southeastern North Carolina, serving patients where they live – in their homes, hospitals, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. 

For more information on how to start the conversation about hospice, please call 1-800-733-1476.