Common Questions About Palliative Care
Comfort, support, and dignity through serious illness
What is Shepherd’s Cove Palliative Care?
Through SCPC, an interdisciplinary palliative care team bridges the gap between hospital care and community care for those living with life threatening illnesses. The focus of the team is comfort, addressing not only physical symptoms, but emotional and spiritual suffering while assisting the patient and their family to gain access to care most aligned with their personal goals of care. It is the goal of the SCPC and the interdisciplinary team to improve the patient’s quality of life, as well as to avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions or unwanted treatments or procedures.
What Can Your Patient Do/Receive in Palliative Care?
- Allows patients to seek curative treatments while addressing comfort issues
- Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- Integrates psychological and spiritual aspects of care
- Offers support to help patients live as actively as possible
- Helps families cope with the patient’s illness
- Advocates for patients and families to access community resources
What If I Need Medical Testing and/or A Procedure?
Any medically necessary testing and/or surgical procedure will be covered through your insurance benefits and will not affect your SCPC services. Because SCPC is primarily grant-funded and not insurance-based, our support can continue alongside your medical treatment.
Does SCPC Manage Pain?
Yes. Pain and symptom management are an important part of palliative care. Our team works closely with you, your primary care provider, and our nurse practitioner to develop an individualized plan that meets your unique needs and helps improve your quality of life.
