What is palliative care?

For patients with a serious illness, such as metastatic cancer, advanced lung disease, congestive heart failure, or advanced dementia, palliative care is an option that addresses quality of life by providing treatments and support to manage the symptoms, pain and stress of illness. Palliative care is provided by a team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, dietitians, and other specialists, who help patients and families gain a full understanding of the disease process and information about treatment options and resources for support.