Comprehensive Palliative Care for Life-Limiting Illnesses: Providing Comfort from Diagnosis Through Treatment
Palliative Care provides relief of symptoms and stresses to those who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting or terminal illness. The comfort provided through our palliative care services may begin as early as your initial diagnosis and continue through your treatment.
Palliative Care of Denver
Palliative Care of Denver is The Denver Hospice’s palliative care program. We are the leading not-for-profit provider of palliative healthcare at home services in the metropolitan Denver area. Our service area includes Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Weld counties.
We specialize in:
- Symptom management
- Decreased hospitalization
- Advance care planning
- Coordinating with primary care doctors
- Connecting patients and their families with community resources
Home Services
We provide care wherever a patient calls home, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living residences and retirement communities.
- An admissions team member visits the home to enroll patients.
- A nurse practitioner will visit every month or more often if needed.
- A social worker will help with advance care planning, accessing community resources and mental health needs.
- Registered nurse support is available by phone 24/7.
- We offer disease-specific care programs.
- If needed, we make it easy to transfer into hospice care.
- Your palliative care nurse practitioner can also serve as your hospice provider.
Disease-Specific Programs
Palliative Care of Denver customizes care plans to meet your disease-specific needs. Our disease-specific programs include:
Palliative Care Frequently Asked Questions
When is it appropriate to begin palliative care for a patient?
Palliative care is suitable at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life. Doctors may suggest it as soon as someone is diagnosed. A serious illness is commonly defined as a severe health condition that significantly impacts a patient’s quality of life. Examples of a serious illness include but are not limited to congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.
What distinguishes palliative care from hospice care?
While both palliative care and hospice care focus on providing comfort, palliative care can begin at diagnosis and continue alongside active treatment, whereas hospice care is specifically for end-of-life. Palliative care is primarily provided by a nurse practitioner working in coordination with the patient’s primary care provider. In contrast, hospice care at home involves a collaborative team that may include a registered nurse (RN), certified nursing assistant (CNA), social worker, and other certified health professionals.While both palliative care and hospice care provide comfort, palliative care can begin at diagnosis and occur alongside treatment. Hospice care is for end-of-life.
What are the primary goals of palliative care treatment?
The main goals are to ease pain and other symptoms, address emotional and spiritual needs, and provide support to the patient and family.
How can palliative care enhance the quality of life for patients?
By managing pain and symptoms, palliative care helps patients feel more comfortable and can help them carry on with daily life. This form of supportive care also allows patients to understand their disease progression and trajectory and make informed decisions on medical treatments.
Will my insurance cover palliative care?
Most insurances cover palliative care including Medicaid and Medicare. If you are unsure, please contact your insurance provider for detailed information on coverage, benefits, and any potential out-of-pocket costs associated with palliative care services.
What factors determine the duration of care for palliative patients?
The duration depends on the illness’s progression, how well treatments are working, and the patient’s needs and wishes. A patient’s ability or inability to leave home for necessary medical appointments also influences the duration of palliative care.
Can palliative care provide support for family members of the patient?
Yes, palliative care includes support for family members, offering counseling, help with decision-making, and respite care. These additional services are arranged within the community and in collaboration with the attending primary care provider.
Palliative Care of Denver is able to serve most major health insurances, including Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.