Page 62 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2022 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

What is
PAlliAtive Palliative Care services are billed

through Medicare Part B, while home
health is billed through Part A. This
CAre? by Scott Caldwell in tandem with other in-home
allows Palliative Care to be provided
services.

How to Know if Palliative
Care is right for you or a
loved one.
Have you ever heard the term, support and is a partner with your
“Palliative Care”? The chances are, primary doctor(s), specialist(s) and You, or your loved one, may be a
even if you have heard this term, other provider(s). good candidate for Palliative Care if
you may have received conflicting you have a serious illness or chronic
information and still might be What Palliative Care Is! condition that affects your daily
confused as to exactly what it is and • Palliative Care, and the medical living. This may include, but is not
why you are reading about it right specialty of Palliative Medicine, limited to:
now!
is specialized medical care that • Cancer
This is because Palliative Care, as provides relief from the symptoms • Heart Disease (CHF)
a medical specialty, is relatively and stress of a serious illness. The
new and has often been used goal is to improve quality of life for • Lung Disease (COPD)
interchangeably with Hospice. both you and your family.
However, it is NOT Hospice. In fact, • A team of specialists, including • Kidney Disease
if you live with one or more serious doctors, nurse practitioners, and
illnesses or chronic conditions that nurses, provide Palliative Care • Alzheimer’s or Dementia
affect your daily living, Palliative as an extra layer of support. The • ALS and more
Care may change your life in a very Palliative Care team works as the
positive way! Palliative Care can “quarterback” for you and your Begin Palliative Care early.
help you or a loved one’s peace of health care team, helping navigate
mind and quality of life in navigating and coordinate the care you need Palliative Care can occur at the same
the very confusing and intimidating and receive. time as all other treatments for your
world of healthcare. illness. There’s absolutely no reason
to wait. In fact, some studies have
What Palliative Care is NOT! • It is appropriate at any age and at shown that Palliative Care may
any stage in a serious illness, and it extend life. Pain and other symptoms
Palliative Care is NOT hospice. In can be provided along with curative affect your quality of life, and stress
simplest terms, the difference can be and restorative treatment. can have a big impact on your family.
summed up by two factors: The Palliative Care team can help.
• Prognosis - Hospice prognosis is “I had no idea what Palliative Care was Your insurance will cover
typically six months or less while or how much my mother needed it! We Palliative Care.
Palliative Care is six months or knew my mom wasn’t ready for hospice
more. Most insurance plans, including
but definitely needed some help with Medicare, and other private
• Curative and Restorative Treatment her care. Having a caring, kind Nurse supplemental and primary policies,
- Hospice does not focus on curative Practitioner come to our home was an cover Palliative Care. It is handled
and/or restorative treatment, while answered prayer!” like any other medical service, such as
Palliative Care does.
- Erin O’Brien, Choice Health Patient oncology or cardiology.
• Additionally, Palliative Care Caregiver Getting Palliative Care is
is NOT a replacement to your easy. Just ask for Choice
existing doctor(s), specialist(s) and Health Palliative Care.
other provider(s). Palliative Care Palliative Care can be provided at the
is provided as an extra layer of same time as home health care. You may already have been referred

62 Lubbock Senior Link