Articles & Stories

When you or a loved one is facing a serious illness, there can be a lot of choices to make. You may have to make a decision on what hospital to go to for your care. Sometimes there are different options to choose from to treat your illness. Then there are questions like, “Should I continue working while my illness is being treated?” or “Should I go on vacation or stay home to rest?”

Luckily, there are medical professionals available to help you make the decisions that fit your priorities and goals. They are called palliative care specialists.

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. It gives you, your family and doctors an extra layer of support. It will treat your pain and other symptoms. It will help you understand your treatment options. And it will help you cope with the everyday challenges of living with a serious illness. Palliative care specialists will also work with you to tackle the tough decisions. They put you and your family in the driver’s seat. … Read More

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. While palliative care can help you at any age and at any stage of your illness, research shows that getting palliative care right away when facing an illness can make a positive difference. … Read More

Marion Blankenship of Charlotte, North Carolina lights up when she talks about her family, especially her eight grandchildren. She beams with pride when you ask her about her job working with kids at a childcare development center. And, she smiles ear to ear when she talks about her hobbies, like singing in church, cooking, or exercising at her local YMCA. … Read More

If you have been diagnosed with Eosinophil-Associated Disease (EAD), you may already be dealing with difficult physical symptoms as well as uncertainty about how the illness might affect your well-being. Pain and stress can be major barriers to continuing to live a fulfilling life. Palliative care is a medical specialty designed to help you with these obstacles right now.

… Read More

We all have those things we love doing. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, hobbies like cooking or dancing, or taking trips to new places. These are the things that define who we are and bring us joy. When you’re facing a serious illness and dealing with pain or anxiety as a result, doing the things you love to do can be much more challenging.

That’s where palliative care comes in. … Read More

Ever since 74-year-old Joyce Montgomery of Atlanta, Georgia was diagnosed with liposarcoma—a rare form of cancer that arises in the fat cells of soft tissue—she’s faced major decisions about her treatment. As her illness has progressed, she has also struggled with anxiety and physical symptoms from her disease and treatment. Through it all, Joyce has had one mission: to keep doing the things she loves for the people she loves.

This is Joyce’s Palliative Care Story. … Read More

If you or a loved one has just been diagnosed with a serious illness—like cancer, heart disease, dementia, ALS or others—palliative care can help you right away. … Read More

If you have, or someone you love has, a serious illness, then you know how draining nausea can be. It makes you tired, uncomfortable and upset. Palliative care can help. … Read More

If you or a loved one are living with a serious illness, you should know whether palliative care is right for you. The first step is typically through the doctor who treats your illness. But not all doctors are clear on the definition of palliative care. … Read More

If you have a serious illness, coping with pain can be a big part of your daily struggle. You are not alone. Many patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or kidney failure have pain that isn’t properly treated. Learn how palliative care can help. … Read More