About Palliative Care

• Comfort and quality of life are important aspects of palliative care. Our team provides specialized care by:
• Maintaining independence and comfort.
• Treating symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, shortness of breath and insomnia.
• Assisting with decision making, setting goals and organizing advance planning needs.
• Providing guidance for hospital discharge plans.

A Compassionate and Experienced Team

Palliative care services at Sentara consist of an interdisciplinary team with expertise in disease treatment and symptom management.

• Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Social Workers
• Chaplains
• Pharmacists
• Dietitians

This team works closely with a patient’s physician to coordinate the best possible care by taking time to:

• Understand patients’ personal goals, family dynamics and cultural and religious values.
• Facilitate communication between patients and their physicians
• Work closely with patients and families – attending to their emotional, spiritual and practical needs.
• Connect patients with beneficial hospital and community resources.
• Ensure continuity of care between clinical settings.