Palliative care

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is specialized care delivered by a multidisciplinary team for people living with serious illnesses focusing on pain and symptom management while also working to reduce stress and improve quality of life for the person living with a serious illness and their family caregivers.

The team approach may include all or a subset of the following team members:

  • Physicians (MD, DO)
  • Advanced practice providers (PA, ARNP)
  • Mental health providers
  • Therapists (SLP, OT, PT)
  • Social workers
  • Spiritual care providers

Palliative care may include the following services:

  • Initial assessment
  • Goals of care and advance care planning
  • Assessment of cognitive impairment
  • Assessment and management of functional needs
  • Assessment and management of serious illness and/or multiple chronic conditions
  • Assessment and management of pain and symptoms
  • Ongoing care management and care coordination
  • Caregiver support and education

Where do I go to get palliative care?

Palliative care is available in the home, outpatient clinic, long-term care setting, and hospital.

See the directory of the Washington State Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (WSHPCO).