Palliative Care

Palliative care is a specialized, interdisciplinary approach to improving comfort and quality of life at any stage of serious illness by addressing symptoms, communications, and next steps. Valley Health palliative care is offered as an inpatient basis only to Winchester Medical Center and via telemedicine to Warren Memorial Hospital. Care teams can help decide if palliative care is right for patients.

Caregivers provide an extra layer of support for patients and their families, including:

• Expert management of symptoms common in people with serious illnesses like:
  • Pain
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Shortness of breath
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
• Help patients understand and cope with illness and treatment options
• Assist with transitions to new places of care
• Help patients decide what care or treatment is best, now and in the future
• Match medical care with patients’ goals and values