Palliative care is a specialized medical care for people with serious illness. It is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support and is appropriate at any age, any stage in an illness and can be provided together with curative treatment.

Palliative care does not delay the disease itself or provide a cure. It relieves suffering and improves quality of life for people with the disease.

Benefits of Palliative Care

1. Patients and family are fully informed about all treatment options.
2. Offers equal access to health care resources.
3. Patients receive only the life-sustaining treatments they desire and are appropriate to their medical condition and prognosis.

A team of palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers will work together with a patient’s primary care physician to:

• Treat pain
• Ensure continuity of care
• Make informed decisions
• Meet spiritual needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about palliative care and what it means for you and your family?

Browse our ever-growing list of common questions.

Connecting With Us

If you have a question about palliative care at one of our OSF hospitals, please contact that hospital and ask for Patient Relations.

If you are a patient in one of our OSF hospitals and would like palliative care, please ask the attending physician for a referral or discuss your needs with your nurse.