What is palliative care?
Palliative Care focuses on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people with serious or advanced illness. It aims to reduce suffering, protect dignity, and improve quality of life for patients and families.

“To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always” - Hipprocrates

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?
Hospice care is for patients who have decided not to seek curative care and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice provides comfort care. Palliative Care can be provided along with curative care at any point in an illness.
Talk to the patient’s physician regarding when to pursue palliative care or contact St. Cloud Hospital Home Care for more information.

Who can receive palliative care?

• Patients of all ages whose condition is considered poor or guarded, including pediatric patients.
• Palliative Care patients can be seeking curative or comfort care and may be receiving TPN, dialysis, transfusions, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments.
• Patients who are “homebound” or have a difficult time getting out of their home.

What are the benefits of palliative care?

• A full interdisciplinary home care team including: nurses, rehabilitation therapy, home health aides, social workers, spiritual care, volunteers and grief/ bereavement follow-up for family members.
• Help and support making difficult health care choices.
• Support to help the patient and family cope with the illness.
• Care based on the patient’s wishes and goals.
  

Comparison of Services
Do you have questions about the differences between home care, palliative care and hospice care and when each might be appropriate?
View a comparison of services chart (PDF)

We are so pleased with the services provided. I don't know what we would have done without your expertise, caring, sensitivity and overall kindness. The staff goes above and beyond, and it is obvious they enjoy their jobs. ~ Patient