Palliative Care Consult Service- For people living with serious illness...
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. This type of care is focused on providing the patient with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness – whatever the diagnosis.
The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family by treating the symptoms of serious illness. Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and can be provided together with curative treatment.
The Palliative Care Consult Service is available to all hospitalized patients at South Jersey Healthcare
Palliative Care may be especially helpful if you:
- Have a serious illness such as heart failure, advanced lung disease, cancer, liver, kidney problems, AIDS, neurological disease or dementia.
- Have significant pain or discomfort
- Are seriously ill and facing questions about the future
- Are confused about your medical conditions and choices
How can the Palliative Care Consult Service at SJH help?
- When you or your family member has a serious illness, you need answers, relief, expertise, and individualized care. The palliative care team at SJH has specialized knowledge and skills in helping people with serious illness. Working with your primary doctor we provide:
- Expert treatment of distressing symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, constipation, pain, breathlessness, depression, insomnia, or anxiety
- Improved quality of life for those living with serious illness
- Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family
- Guidance to help you understand your illness and your choices for medical care
- Help in identifying what is important to you to give you the best quality of life.
Do I have to stop my current treatment to receive palliative care?
No. The Palliative Care Consult Service works in partnership with your primary doctor throughout your hospitalization and treatments
Is Palliative Care the same as Hospice?
No. Hospice care is meant specifically for those approaching the last stages of life, while palliative care is appropriate for any stage of a serious illness
How can you get palliative care while you are in the hospital?
Tell your family, friends, and caregivers that you want palliative care. Then ask your doctor for a referral to the Palliative Care Consult Service.
For more information about palliative care please call:
(856) 641-8650
- Theressa Blum, RN, APN-C
Director of Palliative Care and Nurse Practitioner
- Christopher T. Ballas, MD
Physician Medical Director
- Nancy Ceci, RN
Registered Nurse
If you would like to support the Palliative Care Consult Service at South Jersey Healthcare in memory of your loved one please send donations to:
The SJH Foundation
2950 College Drive, Suite 1F
Vineland, NJ 08360
Please indicate: Restricted to Palliative Care
(856) 641-8000
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