So is Palliative care even available many places

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Chickadee
Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
edited June 2014 in Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care


There just doesn't seem to be much out there when we inquire about Palliative care ongoing. Is it a big medical facility offering? Is it not well funded so no one is interested? Or did the ridiculous "Death Squad" BS shut the conversation down?


Not talking Hospice, I'm talking Palliative.


So many of us could benefit from the added care to our discomforts and pain yet we have to dig for anyone who will even hire someone to provide the service.


Apparently my large Medical system has a fledgling organization if I am willing to drive 60 miles to their flagship facility. But no plans yet to bring it closer.


Stupid.

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited November 2013


    Chickadee ... My friend Brenda uses palliative care services in Hickory, NC. I believe a nurse comes to visit her once a week.


    hugs,


    Bren

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited November 2013


    My husband is Director of Pallative Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. The department is growing every year and he travels and speaks a fair amount to other physicans and hospitals instilling the message. He worked for the VA for 26 years where they were one of the first facilities to recognize and endorse pallative medicine. I was so very grateful for his wisdom, support and loving kindness while going through my 5 surgeries and 5 chemos this year. I gleaned a lot of comfort from his knowledge and assistance and cried many tears for all the people who do not have access to such wonderful support. And to think I sleep with this wonderful man. God has blessed me.


    Let me add that I see Pallative medicine growing as it can be a huge money saver to medical institutions and yet provide comfort care to patients and their families.

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  • DianeKS
    DianeKS Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2013


    chickadee,


    Sorry you are struggling to find services in your area. I feel like there should be one person to call to connect you to palliative care. It is hard enough to deal with the physical challenges of this disease ...not to mention the stress of co-ordination your own care. Does your oncology clinic nurse have any resources for you?


    It would be a long drive, but 60 miles for an assessment and getting you in the 'system' might be worth it..


    Sorry, no other practical help here, in the Canadian system, either system can be a struggle.


    Hope you get some more advice here, good luck with your search,


    Diane

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  • steelrose
    steelrose Member Posts: 3,798
    edited November 2013


    Chick,


    I live in a small town, and my radiologist offered to refer me right after my stage iv diagnosis. He stressed that palliative care is not hospice, and that stage iv patients survive longer under this care. I was too freaked out and stubborn to pursue it at the time, but it does sound good. Radiologists are somehow very eager to help in this area. Maybe ask yours?


    Always thinking of you, and wishing you the best!


    Rose.

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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited November 2013


    Our stupid Oregon HMO doesn't have anyone listed.. figures. I wouldn't be surprised if it saved money and made patients happier about the care they receive. Everything I have read is that palliative care MDs are an asset to the patient. makes me mad. Amy Q you are very lucky!!

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited November 2013


    Rosevalley


    Thank you. I am very lucky and very grateful.

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  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013


    Thought you all might find this palliative care state-by-state grading system helpful. AmyQ your wonderful-sounding husband probably knows all about this in his work.


    Oregon actually has an A grade and is better than western region and US both.


    Texas on the other hand has a C-grade- I searched Williamson Cty.


    http://www.capc.org/reportcard/home/TX/RC/Texas/2853


    http://www.capc.org/reportcard/home/OR/ST/Oregon

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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited November 2013


    Wyo- that's a very interesting link. You can access by counties and up comes the hospitals. My husband signed us up for an HMO and of course nothing is listed on their provider list for palliative MDs. Yet their own hospitals list the service... but not for our HMO portion. Really?? Insurance is a mixed blessing and a curse all in one. I so miss the days when we had Blue Cross/ Blue Shield.

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited November 2013


    Can palliative care be provided even if there isn't a formal program - but there is a provider who has embraced the concept?


    A friend with stage IV gastric cancer sent me this link. something to ponder.


    http://sunriserounds.com/chemo-palliative-perspective/

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  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited January 2014

    I don't understand .  Are they saying chemo for stage 4 bc does not prolong life?

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  • Padiddle
    Padiddle Member Posts: 853
    edited May 2014

    I know this is an older topic but I wanted to add that I recently signed up for visiting nurse help.  Been having tough times lately.  At any rate, the visiting nurse told me that "palliative care," is just the new buzz word for visiting nurse help.  I'm in the state of NH, so maybe it's different here.  Jean

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