Augusta Health Palliative Care

The goal of the Augusta Health Palliative Care team is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a team of physicians, nurses, and other specialists who work with a patient's medical team to provide an extra layer of support.

Who Can Benefit from Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and can be provided together with curative treatment. This type of care is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illness – whatever the diagnosis.

Palliative care is provided in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, private residences, assisted living facilities, and outpatient clinics.

Team Approach

The Augusta Health Palliative Care team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, social work, nurse case management, a chaplain, and other team members who work with your other healthcare providers to provide an extra layer of support in your care.

Palliative Care services include but are not limited to:

• Symptom management such as shortness of breath, pain, insomnia, anxiety, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea/constipation, and depression
• Communication assistance among patient, family, and providers
• Assistance with decision making and identifying goals of care
• End-of-life care and transitions to comfort care and hospice
• Social, psychological, and spiritual support.

Paying for Services

Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurances pay for palliative care as they would with most specialties.