Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice
Supporting end of life care programs
Palliative Care
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. This type of care is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness - whatever the diagnosis.
The Goal of Palliative Care
- To improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
- To include expertise from palliative doctors, nurses, social workers and other specialists in collaboration with a patient’s other doctors.
- To provide an extra layer of support.
- To care for patients at any age, any stage in a serious illness, and together with curative treatment.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Palliative Care
- Quality of Life Focus
- Interdisciplinary Team – MD, RN, MSW, Chaplain
- Provided in Hospitals and as an Outpatient Consultative Service
- Serious or Advanced Illness
- Prognosis-No Limit
- Curative and Comfort Care at Same Time
- Usually Not Covered by Insurance or Medicare
Hospice Care
- Quality of Life Focus
- Interdisciplinary Team-MD, RN, MSW, Chaplain, Home Health Aide,
Volunteers
Provided in Homes, Skilled Nursing, Retirement Residences and Dedicated Hospice Inpatient Unites - Includes Pharmaceuticals, Medical Equipment, and Bereavement Support
- Terminal Diagnosis or End Stage
- Prognosis-6 Months or Less with Ongoing Decline
- Comfort Care Only - Curative Treatment Usually Stopped
- Covered by Medicare and Most Insurances
Examples of Palliative Care Referrals
Patients with:
- Pain, psychosocial or spiritual suffering, or other symptoms of distress
- ICU stay and poor prognosis
- Complex decision-making needs
- Prolonged hospital stay without improvements
- Life-sustaining treatments needing to be discontinued
- Need of support near death for self and family
Contact Us
Southern Oregon
Friends of Hospice
P.O. Box 1182
Ashland, Oregon 97520
Phone: 541-488-7805
Hospice Unique Boutique (HUB) website
HUB Calendar of Events [PDF]
