Compassionate Support Every Step of the Way

It’s a sad reality that many members of our Medical Access Program (MAP) have severe or even incurable illnesses. Over the past couple of years, Central Health has worked to add new services to help patients like these. Through our new palliative care program, these patients are now able to get ongoing support from trained medical professionals to help them manage their symptoms and feel their best.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is special care for people with serious illnesses. It helps to make them feel better by managing pain and other symptoms, providing support, and improving their quality of life. This care can be given at any stage of the illness, along with treatments that try to cure the disease.

Advice from Christine Celio, ACNS-BC, ACHPN

When a patient starts with our palliative care program, they can expect expert medical care focusing on their symptoms. Our patient-centered approach will help guide them to set goals for their care and help with their care coordination as they navigate treatment for their illness.

“Most patients are unfamiliar with or have misunderstandings about what Supportive or Palliative care can do for them,” said Celio, one of Central Health’s supportive and palliative care advanced practice providers.

Celio also emphasizes the patient-centered approach.

“We work closely with each patient’s other doctors to ensure the patient and their family understand the illness, treatment options, and receive expert symptom management from comforting clinicians,’ she said.

Other Benefits

Palliative care is not only for physical treatments but is also helpful with the emotional and psychological needs of patients, and their families, as they manage their illness. Our palliative care team connects patients to counseling services and provides compassionate aid and advice to patient’s families as they make often difficult health decisions.

“When a person is referred to supportive & palliative care the team focuses on helping the patient with the emotional impact of their disease through compassionate listening by the team and the licensed social worker,” Celio explained. “Sometimes patients are hesitant to share the symptoms they’re having because they worry it may mean their disease is getting worse.”

When do you need to get palliative care?

Many people might have chronic pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and exhaustion – all symptoms that are signs they might benefit from palliative care interventions. Celio explains that the Palliative Care team is there to “help patients understand that sharing their symptoms is important so that the team can help them feel their best every day.” Treating these symptoms and improving the patient’s comfort and quality of life is the goal of any palliative care plan.

How to get palliative care through Central Health

Supportive and palliative care can improve your quality of life and decrease hospital readmissions. The care is compassionate, person-centered, and always targeted to the values and needs of the patient. If you’re a MAP member, talk to your doctor today if you think palliative care might help you deal with your serious illness. If you don’t have MAP, you can apply online or call 512-978-8130 to talk to an eligibility specialist.