Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Begin Here

What is palliative care?

• An interdisciplinary approach to care
• Specializes in both physical and psychological symptoms
• Provides relief of pain and other symptoms of serious illness
• Assists with communication between patient, families, and medical staff
• Is dedicated to improve the quality of life for people with critical or terminal illness or conditions that progress and are increasingly limiting
• Is appropriate at any stage of the illness
• Can be provided at the same time as treatment designed to cure
• Provides a goal to allow the patient to live as fully and comfortably as possible
• Allows patients to die with dignity
• Does not seek to hasten or postpone the end of life
• Offers a support system

From the site Palliative Care at NYU Langone Medical Center, palliativecare.med.nyu.edu/what-is-palliative-care/a-definition

What is hospice care?

Quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to

• expert medical care
• pain management
• emotional and spiritual support

It is expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes.

Source: National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

Cathy Berkman, PhD, ACSW; Professor and Director of the Palliative Care Fellowship, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service for her materials and guidance in creating this guide.