It can be confusing but palliative care is not the same as hospice care. While they may be a part of a continuum of care for patients and families — there are many distinguishing differences. In Central Indiana, Paradigm Health is a palliative care innovator and leader and the first in the country to have their palliative care program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
Palliative care is —
- For anyone with a serious or life-threatening illness
- Not dependent on prognosis
- Management of symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain, nausea, etc.
- Often covered by Medicare Part B
- Consultative and individualized in nature
- Provided in concert with a “goals of care” discussion with patients and families
The role of Paradigm Health palliative care nurse practitioners is to make visits to patients who have a serious or life-threatening illness. They are actively involved in diagnosing and treating patients, and in determining patient prognosis as they address healthcare goals and support patients and families through all stages of illness. They do not replace your primary care physician but act as a streamlined connection to help manage medicines, resources, scheduling appointments, and ongoing care goal processes.
Our palliative care nurse practitioners can assist with your chronic symptom management, goals of care conversations and assess and support a general decline related to chronic disease processes.
Not sure if you or a loved one would benefit from the support of palliative care? Give us a call to discuss how we can help at 317-735-6001.