Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with serious or complex illness. Its focus is on improving quality of life by relieving symptoms, managing pain, and supporting emotional and practical needs.

Palliative care works alongside other medical treatment. Patients do not need to stop seeing their current doctors or stop treatment in order to receive palliative care.

Palliative care can help with:

• Relief from pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and other symptoms

• Understanding treatment options and next steps

• Support with complex or ongoing medical decisions

• Coordination between specialists and care teams

• Emotional support for patients and caregivers

Who can benefit from palliative care?

Palliative care may be helpful for people living with serious or chronic illness at any stage, including those who:

• Are experiencing ongoing symptoms or changes in daily function

• Have had recent hospitalizations or frequent medical visits

• Are facing complex or ongoing treatment decisions

• Have caregivers who need additional guidance or support

Palliative care is not limited by prognosis and does not mean giving up on treatment. It is designed to support patients while they continue to receive care from their existing medical team.

When should I consider palliative care?

Palliative care can be helpful earlier than many people expect. Patients and families may consider palliative care when:

• Symptoms are affecting daily life

• Medical decisions feel overwhelming

• Care feels fragmented across multiple providers

• Additional support would improve quality of life

Early involvement often leads to better symptom control and clearer decision-making.