What to Expect From Palliative Care

Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, improving your comfort and quality of life.

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Palliative Care: How It Works and What Families Should Know​

Are you considering palliative care for a loved one? It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by all the unknowns. At Ascend Health, we’re here to help by providing compassionate, personalized palliative care that supports both patients and families facing serious illness. We’ll walk you through what to expect from palliative care—from services and benefits to cost and coverage, so you and your loved one feel informed, comforted, and cared for every step of the way.

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What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on relieving symptoms, pain, and emotional stress for patients with a serious illness. It can be used at any stage of illness and can be provided alongside curative treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, etc.). The heart of palliative care is to enhance quality of life and bring comfort, dignity, and peace to patients and their families.

Palliative Care vs Hospice Care

Although the two terms are often confused, palliative care is not the same as hospice. Understanding the difference between palliative and hospice care helps families make more informed decisions about their loved one’s care plan. While hospice care is for those nearing the end of life, palliative care can begin at diagnosis and continue throughout treatment.

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Types of Palliative Care Services

Palliative care services are tailored to different patient needs, including:

  • Pain and symptom management
  • Emotional and psychological support
  • Assistance with treatment decisions
  • Advance care planning
  • Spiritual care and support
  • Family counseling and respite care

Whether the need is physical, emotional, or spiritual, palliative care embraces the whole person, honoring every aspect of their well-being.

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Palliative Care at Home

For many families, palliative care at home offers the most comfort and security, without the added stress of hospital visits. It allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving expert medical and emotional support.

Ascend Health’s in-home palliative care services include:

  • Regular visits from palliative care physicians and nurses (frequency determined by patient’s individual needs)
  • Medication management
  • Pain and symptom monitoring
  • Coordination with primary care providers and specialists
  • Emotional and spiritual support for both patient and family
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Meet Your Palliative Care Team

Ascend Health’s interdisciplinary team includes:

  • Physicians specializing in palliative medicine
  • Registered nurses
  • Social workers
  • Chaplains and spiritual care providers
  • Home health aides and therapists

Together, this team thoughtfully crafts a care plan that honors your loved one’s values, respects their wishes, and supports their medical needs.

What Are the 5 Stages of Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a deeply personal journey, and understanding its stages can help you feel more prepared, supported, and confident as you look ahead:

  1. Early stage –Focused on symptom management and emotional support at diagnosis
  2. Stabilization –Creating a care plan and monitoring for changes
  3. Ongoing care –Regular evaluations, adapting treatment as needs evolve
  4. Advanced care planning –Supporting decision-making and long-term care goals
  5. End-of-life care –Ensuring comfort, dignity, and family support

Each stage addresses changing needs and ensures the patient receives the right care at the right time.

A healthcare professional gently holds the hand of an elderly patient in a comforting environment.

Benefits of Palliative Care

Families who choose palliative care often do so during some of life’s most vulnerable moments, seeking not only medical support, but peace of mind, clarity, and compassion. Palliative care offers more than just symptom relief; it surrounds patients and families with holistic support that addresses the full picture of their experience—physical, emotional, and beyond.

The benefits include:

  • Enhanced comfort and symptom relief
  • Reduced stress and anxiety for both patient and caregiver
  • Improved communication between patients, families, and providers
  • Better coordination of care across multiple specialists
  • Support for emotional, spiritual, and social needs
  • Empowerment to make informed decisions about care

How Long Can Palliative Care Last?

There is no fixed timeline for palliative care. It can begin at the time of diagnosis and continue for weeks, months, or even years. The duration depends on factors such as:

  • The progression of the illness
  • The patient’s overall condition and goals
  • Whether treatment continues alongside palliative care

The Ascend Health team continually evaluates each patient’s needs to ensure appropriate, ongoing support.

Cost of Palliative Care and Insurance Coverage

One of the most common questions we hear is about the cost of palliative care and how to pay for it. Fortunately, many services are covered by insurance plans.

We currently accept the following:

  • Most Aetna plans
  • Most Horizon BC/BS plans
  • Clover Health

Yes. Medicare covers palliative care as part of standard medical care for patients with serious illness. Coverage may include:

  • Visits from palliative care physicians and nurses
  • Pain management and symptom relief
  • Social work and counseling services
  • Equipment and medication related to symptom control

Most private insurance plans and Medicaid also provide coverage for palliative care, though benefits vary.

Ascend Health can help you:

  • Understand your plan’s specific coverage
  • Coordinate with your insurance provider
  • Estimate any out-of-pocket expenses

We are committed to ensuring that cost is never a barrier to receiving compassionate care.

Choosing Ascend Health for Palliative Care

Taking the first step toward palliative care is a powerful act of love. It’s how you ensure your loved one receives the comfort, clarity, and support they deserve—when they need it most.

If you’re exploring palliative care options, start by speaking with your doctor. Then reach out to Ascend Health. We’re here to walk alongside you, answer your questions, and deliver compassionate care that truly makes a difference.

You can rest assured that when you choose Ascend Health, you’re gaining a partner in care who puts empathy and respect at the center of every decision.

Contact the Ascend Palliative Care Team Today

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. At Ascend Health, we stand ready to be a source of comfort, guidance, and unwavering support. Contact us or call 866.821.1212 today to discuss how we can best support your loved one’s palliative care needs.

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