What Does It Mean When Someone Receives Palliative Care?

Facing a serious illness is a journey that no one should walk alone. At Ochsner Health, we provide an extra layer of support for patients and their families, focusing on a simple yet profound goal: helping people live as well as possible, for as long as possible. This is the heart of palliative care, a specialized approach centered on comfort, dignity and quality of life.

The word “palliative” means to relieve or lessen. Our palliative care teams work every day to make people feel better by providing support and improving the quality of life for patients dealing with serious illness. We believe that care is about seeing the whole person, not just the illness. 

When should someone be offered palliative care?

Palliative care should be considered as soon as a person is diagnosed with a serious illness, regardless of age or stage of disease. This specialized care is not limited to end-of-life support; it’s designed to improve quality of life from the earliest moments of diagnosis through every stage that follows.

People experiencing symptoms such as pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath can benefit from this extra layer of support. Palliative care teams also address emotional, social, and spiritual needs, recognizing that every aspect of well-being matters. Early integration, beginning alongside curative or aggressive treatments, has been proven to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, improve symptom control, and enhance the emotional well-being of patients and caregivers.

Our team serves people living with a wide range of conditions, including cancer, heart failure, and illnesses affecting the lungs, kidneys, or nervous system. Because these conditions often bring unpredictable changes, early palliative care helps patients and their loved ones navigate challenges with expert guidance, coordinated support, and a focus on what truly matters most.

Courageous conversations take place daily as our palliative medicine teams talk with patients and families about life with serious illness. These discussions shape a care plan based on each person’s goals and values.

What is palliative care for cancer patients?

For people living with cancer, palliative care can be a vital resource from the time of diagnosis onward. Cancer and its treatments may cause pain, fatigue, anxiety and other symptoms that affect daily life. Our team’s mission is to ease this burden, helping patients manage side effects and maintain strength during treatment.

Palliative care for cancer patients focuses on controlling symptoms, addressing emotional concerns, and supporting patients and families with complex decisions that arise during the cancer journey. We work in partnership with oncology teams to make sure every aspect of a patient’s well-being is addressed, so patients can maintain relationships, engage in activities they enjoy, and feel empowered throughout treatment.

Research shows that early involvement of palliative care for those undergoing cancer treatment leads to better symptom management, greater emotional and social support, and improved quality of life. For many, it helps them feel more in control and more hopeful about the journey ahead.

Is palliative care the same as hospice?

One of the most common questions we hear is whether palliative care and hospice are the same. While they share similarities, there are important differences.

Palliative care is available at any age and at any stage of a serious illness, often alongside treatments aimed at curing or stabilizing disease. The focus is on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, allowing patients to live as well as possible, for as long as possible.

Hospice care, on the other hand, is a specialized form of palliative care for those who have a life expectancy of six months or less and for whom curative treatment is no longer effective or desired. The focus shifts entirely to maximizing comfort and quality of life, often in the patient’s home or preferred setting, and the hospice team provides care, support and guidance for patients and their families as they approach the end of life.

At Ochsner, we help ensure that every patient’s final chapter is written with compassion, dignity and peace. Both palliative and hospice care are centered on what matters most to the individual, but palliative care can begin much earlier, supporting people at every stage of their health journey.

A team-based holistic approach

After the initial meeting, the palliative care plan might involve a nurse practitioner and social worker visiting the patient at home. They can adjust medications to manage shortness of breath and coordinate with physical and occupational therapists to improve mobility. The team might arrange for a lightweight transport chair and portable oxygen, enabling the patient to attend those cherished family events. These combined efforts significantly improve the patient's quality of life.

This holistic care means our team members also address social and spiritual concerns, collaborating with the patient’s existing support network of care partners. The palliative team works with other specialists to improve function and help patients manage their lives with new equipment and medications, ensuring all aspects of their well-being are supported.

Ochsner Health is proud to be the only palliative care program in Louisiana to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Palliative Care Certification. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and safety. Our multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and therapists, work together to support every aspect of a patient's well-being.

We also offer advance care planning resources to help patients express their wishes and make decisions that align with their personal values. Together, we can ensure every individual receives person-centered, compassionate care when it matters most.

At Ochsner Health, we’re using new electronic technology through MyDirectives to provide an easy-to-use “Five Wishes” document. It is also available through the MyOchsner app for existing MyOchsner users. Visit MyDirectives to create an account or learn more.