Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Why Palliative Care isn’t just for Hospice Patients

When facing a serious illness, treatment options can be confusing. Some patients pursue aggressive treatment, while others choose to forego curative treatment and enter hospice care. However, there is another option called palliative care. Palliative care is often confused with hospice care, but it is not just for hospice patients. Many patients find palliative care a life-affirming, supportive option for dealing with their serious illness.

What Is Palliative Care?

The word “palliate” means “to ease symptoms.” That is the precise intent of palliative care, which has emerged as a medical specialty distinct from hospice care. What some people find confusing is that palliative care is part of hospice care. People in hospice receive palliative care designed to ease their symptoms of pain and discomfort, but they do not undergo curative treatment.

However, palliative care does not have to occur only in a hospice setting. Palliative care can be offered as an adjunct to curative treatment. It involves a holistic approach, with a treatment team that is often made up of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Visiting Nurse Health System provides consultative palliative care in your home, easing symptoms associated with the medical condition itself as well as side effects of treatment.

Who May Benefit from Palliative Care?

Simply put, anyone suffering from a serious illness may benefit from palliative care. There is no limitation on age, condition or severity of disease. Some patients in palliative care are suffering from aggressive forms of cancer, while others are managing chronic illnesses such as heart disease. Unlike hospice care, in which patients generally must be within the final six months of life, there is no such condition on palliative care. This means that palliative care can be introduced earlier in the disease process. Patients can continue to receive palliative care even if they also choose to undergo curative treatment.

“When facing a life-limiting or chronic illness, it’s important to understand your options. Visiting Nurse provides support for patients and their families as they navigate these difficult decisions, said Judy Herbert, manager of the palliative program at Visiting Nurse.

Palliative care can improve quality of life, ease distress and limit hospital stays during a challenging illness. Contact Visiting Nurse today to learn more about our palliative care options and find out how we can help you or your loved one.

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As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services in the homes of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
#2025 #donate #GiveBack #youmatter #Impact

As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services in the homes of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
#2025 #donate #GiveBack #youmatter #Impact
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As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services, in the homes, of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
#2025 #donate #GiveBack #youmatter #impact

As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services, in the homes, of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
#2025 #donate #GiveBack #youmatter #impact
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Last night was a night to remember as we gathered to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Visiting Nurse Health System employees at the Annual Applause Employee Awards Dinner! 🌟
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all our amazing employees who continue to drive our success. Here’s to another year of excellence and achievement! 🏆
#AnnualApplause #EmployeeAwards #TeamSuccess #CelebratingExcellence

Last night was a night to remember as we gathered to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Visiting Nurse Health System employees at the Annual Applause Employee Awards Dinner! 🌟
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all our amazing employees who continue to drive our success. Here’s to another year of excellence and achievement! 🏆
#AnnualApplause #EmployeeAwards #TeamSuccess #CelebratingExcellence
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Pets are family too, here at Visiting Nurse! Michelle’s life is filled with animal love, from playful dogs to daily visits with caregiver Dena and her furry friend Danny. 🐶💬🌟
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Pets are family too, here at Visiting Nurse! Michelle’s life is filled with animal love, from playful dogs to daily visits with caregiver Dena and her furry friend Danny. 🐶💬🌟
#petlovers #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a fervent advocate for equality and justice in all aspects of life, including access to healthcare. 
We honor this day of remembrance and action with his famous quote that highlights his views on the topic. 
#MLKDay #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a fervent advocate for equality and justice in all aspects of life, including access to healthcare.
We honor this day of remembrance and action with his famous quote that highlights his views on the topic.
#MLKDay #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta
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Join us in celebrating the January Visiting Nurse Health System Employee of the Month! Thank you for all you do, Dwana! #stellar #employee #celebrate

Join us in celebrating the January Visiting Nurse Health System Employee of the Month! Thank you for all you do, Dwana! #stellar #employee #celebrate ...

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Happy New year from all of us at Visiting Nurse Health System!

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Happy New year from all of us at Visiting Nurse Health System!

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Thank You, Trella Health Team!
A heartfelt thank you to the Trella Health employees for choosing Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta for your generous gifts-in-kind for our patients in need at this year's 2024 Kindness Drive event! 🌟 
Your dedication to the healthcare industry and compassion for giving back makes a positive imprint on the lives of our patients, bringing smiles and comfort to those in need. Together, we're making a positive difference in our community. Keep shining your light in healthcare! 💙 #KindnessDrive #TrellaHealth #CommunityCare #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

Thank You, Trella Health Team!
A heartfelt thank you to the Trella Health employees for choosing Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta for your generous gifts-in-kind for our patients in need at this year`s 2024 Kindness Drive event! 🌟
Your dedication to the healthcare industry and compassion for giving back makes a positive imprint on the lives of our patients, bringing smiles and comfort to those in need. Together, we`re making a positive difference in our community. Keep shining your light in healthcare! 💙 #KindnessDrive #TrellaHealth #CommunityCare #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta
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