Supportive Care Services is patient and family-centered care that helps prevent and treat distress, pain, and other symptoms resulting from a serious or chronic illness. Quality of life can be compromised when someone is feeling uncomfortable, frustrated or suffering. Supportive Care can be the answer when pain or other symptoms are controlling and life without pain seems impossible.
For more information or to request a Supportive Care consult please call 815.754.1084.
How does supportive care work?
Working together with the patient, family and primary physician, the Supportive Care Nurse Practitioner will:
- Manage complex pain and other debilitating symptoms
- Coordinate care with your primary care physician and other specialists who are involved in your care and treatment
- Support family members who are coping with changes in your health status
- Help patients and families understand the choices they may face and anticipate future needs so they are better informed and prepared
- Allow patients to have more control over
their careWhat can be expected from supportive care?
Depending on the care options chosen by the patient and family, improvement may be experienced in the following ways:
- Relief from pain and symptoms that may be interfering with daily life
- Unique solutions to each individual medical situation
- Reduced stress
- Assistance in understanding of the illness and options for treatment and care
- Help with decision-making regarding treatment options
The Supportive Care Nurse Practitioner will consult with the patient’s physician to evaluate a specific set of symptoms or to recommend solutions for improved pain management or other symptoms.
Who can benefit from supportive care?
Any person who is experiencing a serious illness of any kind is appropriate for Supportive Care. Therefore, there are no age or disease restrictions. A few examples of illnesses treated by Supportive Care include, but are not limited to:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Kidney Failure
- Stroke
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
What is the supportive care approach to quality of life?
When a patient is uncomfortable or in pain, all energy is directed toward dealing with the symptoms. Every aspect of life is affected; nutrition, physical activities and relationships with loved ones. However, physical pain is only one part of a serious illness. Other aspects may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Inability to move around freely
- Lack of appetite or nausea
- Confusion about treatment plans
- Worry about the future, family, friends or pets
- Depression caused by feeling helpless
- Frustration about why life has taken this turn
The KishHealth Supportive Care team and the primary care physician will work with the patient and family to address these and any other causes of discomfort and pain.
Who pays for supportive care?
Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance plans cover the services provided by Supportive Care. KishHealth Supportive Care Services are coordinated by a licensed-board certified nurse practitioner.Where does a patient receive supportive care?
Supportive Care services can be provided in the hospital, a patient’s home, long term care facility or assisted care facility.“Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.” -Hippocrates
