Hospice care and palliative care are not interchangeable terms. Whereas all hospice care is palliative, there are some big differences.
One of the main differences is that palliative care can be provided much earlier in a serious illness. There can be consultations with palliative care at different stages and as needed. Studies show that palliative care improves quality of life and may even extend life.
Palliative care can help people with many different Life-limiting Illnesses
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and is usually provided along with curative treatment. It is a medical specialty, which is sometimes called supportive care.
Palliative care can be provided in all settings, including VA hospitals. Many West Virginia hospitals have palliative consultation teams. Palliative care or supportive care can also be provided in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities, in clinics or at home.
There are several community palliative care teams that are based in West Virginia hospices. Some of the services provided are:-
- pain and symptom management
- support and education
- Advance Care Planning
- help with decision making
Tri-State Life Care Huntington 304-399-0225
PalliativeCare of Southern West Virginia 304-253-9151
Palliative Care Center Charleston 304-941-1951
Compassus Princeton 304-431-2000
Caring Connections – Palliative Care Northern Panhandle 740-859-5650
Panhandle Palliative Care – Eastern Panhandle 304-264-0406 or 800-345-6538
GPC_WhatYouShouldKnowHandout_2019 This informative handout from http://getpalliativecare.org can be downloaded if you click on it.
Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) has a listing of palliative care providers and you can search by state CAPC Palliative Provider Directory
Resources for cancer patients can be found on the Mountains of Hope website if you need help with transportation, financial concerns or to find a support group.