Palliative care relieves suffering and improves the quality of life for patients and families living with life-defining illnesses. It can be available to patients with serious illnesses of all types, in all locations, and is supported by all insurance plans.

Hospice care is team-based service designed to help those with a limited life expectancy. Most benefit plans limit hospice services to patients with less than six months to live who are willing to forgo further curative treatment. Palliative care does not have those limitations. Palliative care can be accessed for those with a longer prognosis and for those who wish to continue curative care with better symptom management. Ideally, palliative resources begin at the time of diagnosis of a life-defining illness.

If you or your loved one is facing a serious illness, ask your doctor for a palliative care consultation. Most hospitals have a palliative care program, and outpatient palliative care services are available in some communities.

In West Michigan, Trillium Palliative Services provides expert, compassionate care in local hospitals, its ambulatory clinic at 2100 Raybrook St. SE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, 49546, area assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, or private homes. Contact them at 616-235-5101.