Palliative Care
When a loved one is seriously ill, it can feel confusing and lonely. It may be hard to make sense of all the information you are hearing. The Gilchrist Palliative Care team can help guide you through the uncertainties that serious illness brings. Our care focuses on quality of life and keeping you or your loved one comfortable and pain free.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for people living with chronic or advanced illness. Gilchrist’s team provides medical expertise, emotional support, and education to help you understand your condition and treatment options. Care is guided by your goals and can be provided at any stage of illness, from diagnosis onward. Gilchrist offers palliative services in select hospitals and long-term care centers.
Who May Need Palliative Services?
Anyone with a serious or chronic illness may benefit from palliative support, including individuals with:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease (e.g., COPD)
- Cancer
- Liver or kidney failure
- Dementia, ALS or other neurologic conditions
How Can Palliative Care Help You?
Gilchrist’s palliative team is experienced in guiding people through the uncertainty that accompanies serious illness. The team will:
- Treat pain and symptoms for greater comfort and stability
- Coordinate care with your doctors and other healthcare providers
- Support your emotional and spiritual well-being
- Guide important discussions about your goals, values, and treatment choices
- Educate and empower caregivers with tools and resources
- Ensure smooth transitions between hospitals, home, or other care settings
How to get started
You don’t have to face serious illness alone. Talk to your doctor about a referral for Gilchrist Palliative Care or contact us directly to learn more. We’ll work with your physician to create a personalized plan that meets your needs and goals.
Palliative Care Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palliative Care?
In short, Palliative Care focuses on improving the quality of life. Our Palliative Care service offers medical care, emotional and social support, and education for people with serious illness and their families.
What can I expect during a Palliative Care visit?
Initial Consultation
- Discuss your illness and review your medical history
- Conduct a physical exam
- Take time to understand your symptoms
- Ask how your medications and treatments are working
- Talk with you about how you are coping day to day
- Discuss your goals for care
- Explore what may be preventing you from meeting those goals
Recommendations
- Recommend ways to improve comfort and manage symptoms
- Suggest approaches to help reduce stress
- Share their findings with your health care provider.
- Together, you and your doctor can consider any changes that may help you meet your goals.
Follow-Up
- If needed, the care team may provide follow-up visits.
How does Palliative Care differ from Hospice Care?
Palliative care and hospice both focus on comfort, quality of life, and honoring a person’s goals for care. The key difference is timing and treatment approach. Palliative care can begin at any stage of a serious illness—even at diagnosis—and may be provided alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments. Hospice care is generally for the final months of life and is not combined with curative therapies.
Who can receive Palliative Care?
Anyone living with a serious or chronic illness may benefit from palliative care. It is especially helpful for those with conditions such as advanced cancer, heart or lung disease, kidney or liver failure, dementia, ALS, and other neurologic illnesses.
Palliative services are available through inpatient referrals at GBMC and Howard County General Hospital, as well as through the GBMC Cancer Center. Care is also available upon request for individuals residing in skilled nursing or rehabilitation facilities.
For more information about Palliative Care through The Lifecare Institute in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, please contact 443-332-5800.
What are the benefits of Palliative Care?
Palliative care benefits anyone seeking improved quality of life while living with a serious illness. It focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms, helping you understand your condition and treatment options, and supporting your goals for care. Palliative care also supports family members and caregivers, who may feel overwhelmed by the illness or by navigating the health care system.
How is Palliative Care paid for?
Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurers offer coverage for the Palliative Care consultation. Funds are available through Gilchrist to cover individuals who qualify based on financial need.
