PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative Care Covers:
- Symptom management
- Pain management
- Help navigating treatment options
- Advance care planning
- Comfort measures that support quality of life and referrals to community resources
- Palliative care can be provided together with other primary treatments.
- Universal Health Net care team work with the patient and physician to improve the patient’s quality of life while the doctor addresses the disease.
When Is Palliative Care Appropriate?
Palliative care is appropriate for anyone diagnosed with a serious, long term or life-threatening illness. You should consider palliative care to access many health care benefits to improve your quality of life and those of your loved ones that are caring for you. Patients that also qualify for hospice but are not yet emotionally ready to discontinue curative treatments may opt for Palliative Care first.
What makes UHN Palliative Care unique?
- Multi-lingual speaking staff: We have Arabic, Spanish, Russian and English- speaking staff and match each patient with their language/cultural preference.
- Same day assessment and admission: All within a couple of hours, one of our nurses will provide a personalized patient hospice needs assessment and advanced care plan; speak with loved ones; coordinate ambulance transportation of the patient to their home; as well as organize medical equipment, medication, personal care needs and a care team to commence immediately when the patient arrives at home.
- Patient advocacy– we advocate for and provide access to services to improve the patients emotional, physical and spiritual quality of life
- We follow up with the patient’s hospital or facility for clear communication & care coordination.
- Consistent And Dedicated Care Team For The Duration Of Patient Care: We ensure there are no interruptions to service and the patient is always comfortable and familiar with the same excellent care team to include physicians, nurses, certified hospice aides, case managers, social workers, physical therapists, occupational & speech therapists, registered dietitians, and hospice spiritual counselors.
- A Holistic Approach To Care For The Patient & Their Loved Ones: We train loved ones on how best to comfort and care for the patient.
- Professional Counseling: Emotional and spiritual support is provided to the patient and for 13 months to their loved ones after the death of the patient.
- Support Groups – Our Chaplin runs monthly support group meetings at our offices to provide caregivers and patients with valuable insight, resources, emotional support and comradely.
- 24/7 Patient Access To RN consult so patients and their loved ones have the medical attention they need.
- Volunteer Network: Our trained volunteers provide support with Patient & Family Companionship, Patient & Family Assistance/Bereavement and Professional Services (e.g. Hairstyling, Pet & Music Therapy, etc.).
- UHN Medical Directors are local and established doctors servicing hospitals and nursing centers.
- 100% Patient Satisfaction means we are dedicated to go above and beyond to support the patient and their loved ones
Are Palliative Care Costs Covered?
Medicare Part B and Medicaid cover some types of palliative care, but you may be charged co-payments for some treatments and medications that are not covered. This also applies to private health insurance plans and member plans can also vary. Please check with your health insurance provider, Medicare or Medicaid to identify what is covered and whether you have co-pays or other charges.