Palliative Care

Palliative Care
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Key takeaways

  • Palliative care adds an extra layer of support for people facing serious illness. It focuses on easing symptoms, addressing day-to-day concerns and helping patients feel more comfortable while they continue receiving other care.
  • Patients should ask about palliative care when symptoms or hospital visits become difficult to manage. It may be helpful for people with chronic or progressive illnesses, poorly controlled symptoms or frequent ER visits/hospital admissions.
  • The care team provides physical, emotional and spiritual support. The team helps patients and families understand treatment options, make decisions aligned with their goals and access support from a doctor and chaplain.

Palliative care is specialized healthcare that helps people living with serious, chronic or progressive illnesses by managing symptoms, relieving discomfort and improving quality of life.

While you are in the hospital, our team works with you and your family to develop a personalized treatment plan that supports your specific needs and works alongside your other treatments.

When to ask for Palliative Care

If you or a loved one experiences any of the following, ask your doctor or nurse about speaking with a palliative care team member.

  • Chronic illness such as cancer, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart, lung, liver or kidney disease 
  • Poorly-controlled symptoms, including pain or discomfort, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, constipation, depression or anxiety, difficulty sleeping, confusion or delirium
  • Frequent emergency room visits or three or more hospital admissions within 12 months

Services we provide

Helpful Resources

End-Stage Liver Disease Handout

Delirium Guide

Dementia Handout

Our services go beyond caring for your physical needs. Our team can help you:

  • Understand the pros and cons of medical treatments
  • Understand what to expect throughout the illness
  • Make decisions about treatment options
  • Match personal goals and values with medical care
  • Cope with the stress of a serious illness
  • Find emotional and spiritual support

Our team approach

Our Palliative Care team includes a doctor and a chaplain who partner with your primary care doctor to make sure you have the level of support you and your family need. We’re available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. A chaplain is on call 24/7. To learn more about our palliative care services, call (816) 455-0681.

Frequently asked questions

Palliative care is available for patients with chronic or progressive conditions such as cancer; dementia; heart, lung, liver and kidney disease; Parkinson’s disease and stroke. We can help you manage your pain, control other symptoms and coordinate your care.

Someone may benefit from palliative care when a serious illness causes symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, trouble sleeping or frequent hospital visits. Patients and families can ask a doctor or nurse whether a palliative care consultation may help.

If you have a poorly-controlled symptoms, frequent emergency room visits or hospital admissions, or need help understanding your condition and treatment options, ask your doctor or nurse to talk with a supportive care staff member.

Our Palliative Care team includes a doctor, nurses, social workers and a chaplain. They partner with your primary care doctor to make sure you get the level of care and services that meet your needs.

Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans cover the supportive care you receive in the hospital.

At NKC Health, you have access to a complete range of additional services if you need them, including: