What is palliative care?

Palliative care is medical care focused on improving quality of life for people with a serious illness and their care partners. The National Institute on Aging says it centers on managing symptoms and coordinating care, involves a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and others, and can begin as early as diagnosis. It is available at any age and can be given alongside treatment meant to cure the illness.

Hospice is a type of palliative care for the final months of life. The National Institute on Aging explains that palliative care can be given at any stage of a serious illness, alongside treatment to cure it, while hospice is for someone whose doctor believes they have six months or less to live, and attempts to cure the illness stop. Both relieve symptoms as much as possible.

Yes. The National Institute on Aging lists dementia among the serious illnesses palliative care serves, and the Center to Advance Palliative Care names Alzheimer's. Palliative care is based on the person's needs, not their prognosis, so it can start well before the end of life. The team helps match treatment choices to the person's goals and makes sure all their doctors understand what the person wants.

It can. The National Institute on Aging says Medicare, Medicaid and insurance policies may cover palliative care, and that whether Medicare pays depends on the person's benefits and treatment plan. Veterans may get it through the VA, and private insurance might pay for some services. Ask the insurer or Medicare plan what it covers. Medicare's hospice benefit is separate and has its own rules.

Yes. The National Institute on Aging says palliative care can be provided at home as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient clinics. The team may include palliative care doctors and nurses, social workers, nutritionists and chaplains, working with the person's other doctors. To begin, ask the person's health care provider for a referral to a palliative care specialist if they have not suggested it.