Who can receive Palliative Care?

It is not necessary to have a terminal diagnosis to benefit from Palliative Care. Many patients may benefit from this service including patients:

• With pain or other symptoms that cause discomfort
• With complex, or chronic medical problems including but not limited to heart disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, kidney failure, lung disease or cancer
• Who frequently use the emergency department or are often re-admitted to the hospital
• In an intensive care unit who need assistance evaluating next steps and goals of care

The service is also of tremendous value to families who need:

• Assistance communicating with the healthcare team
• Guidance with decision concerning artificial nutrition
• Support with end-of-life decisions