“It is so helpful to be able to call when I need something or have a question. My fear factor drops way down. Your care has kept me out of the hospital.”
—Trudy
Palliative Care
Living with a serious illness, advanced-stage illness, or chronic condition can be a challenge for a patient and their loved ones. Everyday living can include unpredictable symptoms, discomfort, complicated medical decisions, and concerns about the future.
Palliative Care provides support and attention between doctor’s appointments to address physical, emotional, nutritional, spiritual, and social needs. It can be initiated soon after a person is diagnosed or at any stage of illness.
Patients
Learn how palliative care is a resource for patients, caregivers and families navigating a serious illness.
Providers
Refer a patient and learn how Carelon can help you support your patients through their illness.
Health plans
Find out how Carelon can help you lower costs and improve outcomes for your members.
Experienced and compassionate care is at the ready
Every moment of every day matters. Making those moments as comfortable as possible is at the heart of our Palliative Care.
Our care team of specialists, who are either board certified or palliative medicine certified, is dedicated to patient needs. It can include a:
- Physician
- Advanced practice provider
- Registered nurse
- Social worker
Care can be provided in a patient’s home or through telehealth with a phone or video call.
The right care in the moments that matter
Needs are always changing — what a patient needs today and what they need tomorrow may be different.
We start by listening to the patient, their loved ones, and their caregivers to learn about the illness, symptoms, challenges, and goals. With this information we develop a care plan that allows everyone to know what to expect, and focus on what’s most important.
Every care plan is personalized and includes:
- Symptom and disease management.
- Visit summaries and collaboration with the patient’s doctors.
- Communication with loved ones and other caregivers.
- Advance care planning.
- Coordination of in-home care and support services.
- 24/7 support.
Proactive planning and integrated services help to avoid surprises and trips to the emergency room or hospital.
Care you can trust
Our Palliative Care is one of the nation's largest nonhospice programs. It’s staffed with board-certified and palliative-medicine-certified care providers and offers both in-home and telehealth services.
We’re here to support a patient’s needs while creating meaningful relationships that make everyone feel better.
What people have to say about Palliative Care
“My nurse practitioner was terrific. She did everything and probably kept me out of the hospital a few times. It just changed everything. I felt better. I knew they’d be there. They gave me a magnet [with a 24/7 support number] to put on my refrigerator and said to call anytime, seven days a week, around the clock."
—Margaret
“It is wonderful to have home visits. It has relieved a lot of anxiety to know we can call whenever we need you.”
—Bob
“Our nurse practitioner is thorough and understands my husband’s needs. She is quick to see even the slightest changes — even those I might miss being with him daily. Carelon has been a blessing to us.”
—Susan, wife and caregiver
“I think the teamwork at Carelon is amazing. Everybody works together to provide the absolute best care that we can for our patients and their families.”
—Samantha, Palliative Care registered nurse
“After my cancer diagnosis…the discomforts, the pain, my whole thought process, my memory…it's hard to describe. My nurse practitioner told me to call at any time no matter what it is — no matter how small or how big. And I can only imagine what it would've been like not to have had these guys.”
—Ron
“If a patient has access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer, virtual care is something that allows us to be more available to them. A lot of patients have really embraced it.”
—Liz, Palliative Care nurse
“Having Carelon come to our home has been extremely helpful. The whole staff has been very helpful in caring for my father. We are so thankful to have them.”
—Ted
“My mom was able to stay at home and out of the hospital during her last few weeks, which were our family’s wishes. Mom was even able to dance at her grandson’s wedding. She really moved her feet — she didn’t just shuffle. That’s how we’ll remember her.”
—Kathy, daughter and caregiver
“They bring forth not only the additional medical care that might be needed, but also the emotional support. That was really important to me to know that he had that other anchor.”
—Terri, caregiver and friend
“My job is to advocate for my patient, regardless of what the doctors think. If my patient does or doesn’t want to do something, it’s my job to help them get to that point.”
— Emilee, Palliative Care nurse
Frequently asked questions
Palliative Care is specialized medical care that addresses the physical, emotional, nutritional, spiritual, and social needs of a patient, and their loved ones, living with a serious illness or chronic condition.
Palliative Care is not end-of-life care. It's care that is provided in addition to treatment that is intended to improve or cure a person’s serious illness.
Hospice care is a service for people with serious illnesses who choose not to receive (or continue) treatment to cure or control their illness. Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person who is approaching the end of life.
Palliative Care is a resource for anyone living with a serious illness, such as congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease.
Palliative Care can be helpful at any stage of illness and can be initiated soon after a person is diagnosed. A person’s needs and safety should be top priorities when considering Palliative Care.
At Carelon, Palliative Care includes a specialized care team that provides:
Symptom and disease management.
Visit summaries and collaboration with the patient’s doctors.
Communication with loved ones and other caregivers.
Advance care planning.
Coordination of in-home care and support services.
24/7 support.
