About Palliative Care
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. Whatever the diagnosis may be, palliative care focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious or chronic illness, with the overarching goal to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care is both used in hospice and outside of hospice. All hospices provide palliative care for end-of-life patients, some hospices have palliative care programs for those outside of the hospice eligibility.
Like hospice, palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.
Pediatric Palliative Care Resources:
Comparison of Pediatric Services in Florida
Partners in Care Together for Kids is a program that offers specialized palliative care support services for children and adolescents up to the age of 21. These services provide comfort for both your child and your family. You can access these services in addition to the medical services that you are already receiving through the Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Network. The program will help you get the information and support you need to make decisions that are best for your child and family. You keep your CMS doctor and your care coordinator.
If you are interested in the PIC-TFK program, ask your CMS care coordinator to refer you if a PIC-TFK program is available in your area. Once your CMS doctor approves your referral, the PIC-TFK program provider will contact you.
For more information, download this brochure, visit CMS’s website, or contact our office at (850) 878-2632.