Palliative Care Offers Support Palliative care is compassionate care for patients and families facing a serious illness affecting their quality of life, and is appropriate during all phases of an illness. This unique care helps patients understand the information they need to make important decisions and participate in planning their own medical care. Palliative care may be ongoing as an illness progresses or care choices change.
A Compassionate and Experienced Team Our palliative care team consists of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and chaplains with clinical expertise in diseases, treatment options and symptom management. Palliative care is offered in all Sentara Hospitals.
This team works closely with a patient’s physician to coordinate the best possible care by taking time to:
Understand a patient’s personal goals, family dynamics, and cultural and religious values.
Facilitate communication between a patient and their physicians.
Work closely with patients – attending to their emotional, spiritual and practical needs.
Connect patients with beneficial hospital and
community resources.
How to Request a Consultation A referral from a patient’s physician is necessary before a consultation. Please speak with your physician, nurse or contact our hospital palliative care coordinator for a referral.