Helping comfort our patients, their families and friends.
If you are a palliative care patient and need assistance in managing your symptoms during the evening or weekend, call (608) 782-7300 or (800) 362-9567 and ask the operator to page the palliative care physician on call.
To learn more, or if you are a palliative care patient and need assistance in managing your symptoms, call (608) 775-9336 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 59336 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For an appointment, please call (608) 775-9336 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 59336.
Palliative care treats the whole person, aiming to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families. Palliative care has three goals to ensure patients have the best quality of life:
- Reducing symptoms caused by disease and its therapy.
- Supporting patients and families at times of illness, transition and loss.
- Helping family members support patients and each other.
By working closely with the primary physician, palliative care advanced practice nurses meet with patients to assess their physical needs and determine the treatment of symptoms including:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
Palliative care advanced practice nurses may discuss planning for the future and documentation of health care wishes. They are able to help with concerns that may be distressing to the patient and family such as depression, loss of control, anxiety, loneliness, and fear of being a burden or dying.
Whether care and support are provided in the clinic or hospital, at home, or in a nursing home, every reasonable effort is made to alleviate discomfort and enhance well-being through education, medication and various complementary approaches to pain management in addition to using available community resources.
Palliative care services are covered by most private insurance, Medicare/Medical Assistance or private pay options. For more information about palliative care and symptom management, call our advanced practice nurses at the phone numbers above.