WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?
Palliative care is supportive care for people with advanced illness. “Palliate” means to ease. The focus of palliative care is to ease suffering that results from illness. Palliative care provides treatment for symptoms even when the underlying disease cannot be cured. The main goals are to relieve pain and other discomfort, and to reduce stress. Palliative care also provides information to help a patient live with serious physical illness. It considers emotional, social and spiritual needs, as well. During illness, palliative care can help patients and their family our palliative care program treats the whole person, meeting the patient's medical, emotional, spiritual, cultural and social needs. Our Palliative Care Team will:
- Involve family and friends as requested by the patient
-Discuss treatment goals with the patient and requested family members
- Be flexible, allowing the patient to choose the appropriate treatments and therapies
- Provide care along with the patient’s physicians and nurses while the patient is in the hospital
- Offer care alongside treatments that are meant to cure
-Involve a team of professionals, including a medical director, physician, nurse, and board certified pastoral counselor.
The Objective of the Atlantic General Hospital Palliative Care program are to:
PROVIDE total active care for persons with advanced medical illness, especially those with chronic and progressive life-limiting conditions.
HELP patients and their families live as fully and comfortably as possible and to reach each patient’s goals for a good quality of life. Those who live with serious illness may face some hard choices. It is a common experience for people to seek out specialists for assistance as they consider all available options. Experts from the AGH Palliative Care program are available through a consult from the attending physician to help with difficult decisions, including treatment options and end-of-life issues. You, your family member or any of your health care professionals may ask your physician to call the Palliative Care Consult Team at
410-629-6886 or 410-641-1100.
ELEMENTS OF PALLIATIVE CARE PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
We believe that no one should be in unbearable pain. Our team will work with the patient’s attending physician and nurses to assure that pain is treated effectively and compassionately. We also provide treatment recommendations for other troublesome symptoms such as nausea, restlessness and anxiety.
SPIRITUAL CARE
Our pastoral counselor provides spiritual support to our patients and/or family members while they are coping with serious illness or end-of-life issues. Pastoral care professionals provide spiritual services that respect and honor the patient's cultural beliefs and rituals.
FLEXIBILITY
We strive to work with the patient and family in order to provide comfort, dignity and the best possible quality of life.
ADVANCE CARE PLANNING
This plan enables the patient and caregiver to express, in advance, preferences related to pain management, beneficial vs. non-beneficial treatments, and other quality-of-life issues.
CARE COORDINATION
Our team works with a team of health professionals to assist the patient and/or caregiver to identify and coordinate the elements of a palliative care plan.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Our team provides emotional support to the patient and/or family members of the patient with serious chronic illness or with an end-stage, terminal disease diagnosis.
Palliative Care Consultation Services:
Dr. Robert Durkin, Medical Director
Dr. Andrea Baier, Physician
Mary Lou Belcher, RN
Roxanne Pitcher, RN
Gail Mansell, Board Certified Pastoral Counselor & Team Director
9733 Healthway Drive
Berlin, MD 21811
410-629-6886
410-641-1100
palliativecare@atlanticgeneral.org
www.atlanticgeneral.org