Visiting Angels® provides palliative care for individuals living with a serious illness who need compassionate skilled care in the comfort of their own home.

Our palliative care at home goes beyond the traditional scope of these services. While other care providers focus primarily or exclusively on a person's physical care needs, we take a holistic approach. Our caregivers will focus on your loved one's physical comfort as well as their emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

We help individuals remain at home while living with conditions such as ALS, cancer, or Parkinson's disease. We create a comforting and supportive environment, restoring hope and assisting in the healing process.

What Is Palliative Care at Home?

Palliative care at home is designed to relieve discomfort and stress related to serious illnesses and health conditions so that loved ones can remain in the place they cherish - home.

While many people think of palliative care as the same as hospice care or end-of-life care, there are key differences between these services. While hospice and end of life care are meant for individuals with terminal illnesses or health conditions, palliative care services can be provided regardless of life expectancy.

Palliative care services can assist individuals living with:

• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Parkinson's Disease
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Other serious health conditions

In addition to our palliative home care services, we also offer a dedicated program for end of life care.

Our Palliative Care Services

At Visiting Angels, we take a unique approach to palliative care services at home.

Other palliative caregivers will focus primarily or exclusively on relieving pain and physical discomfort. However, we know serious illnesses and health conditions can affect a person's well-being in many other ways. That's why we've designed our palliative services with a holistic approach.

Through our Palliative Care Certification Program, we offer care with a focus on the following four areas:

• Physical Needs
  Our caregivers focus on your loved one's physical health and personal comfort. Often, we coordinate care with input from doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals.
  
  
• Emotional Needs
  We find ways to make day-to-day life more enjoyable, help clients maintain favorite routines, and address issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety.
  
  
• Social Needs
  Our caregivers develop close relationships with individuals and their families. We provide companionship and conversation to relieve feelings of loneliness.
  
  
• Spiritual Needs
  When providing palliative services, we strive to restore hope for your loved one and your family, helping you find peace of mind in a difficult time.

Palliative In-Home Care

Do you have a loved one who's living with an illness or condition that requires palliative home care? We invite you to contact your local Visiting Angels home care office to learn more about our palliative services and request a care consultation.

Before getting started with care, Visiting Angels will provide your family with a free consultation that allows us to learn more about your loved one's situation. This detailed consultation will help us design a personalized care plan for your loved one. We will tailor our services to your loved one's needs and situation, and we can design care to include support services for your family.

Learn more about our palliative care at home and request a consultation today by contacting your local Visiting Angels office.

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Palliative Home Care FAQs

What Does Palliative Care Mean?

Palliative care describes a wide range of care services designed to improve quality of life for individuals with life-threatening conditions. Palliative caregiving has a specific focus on reducing pain, discomfort, and suffering to improve a person's physical, emotional, social, and/or spiritual well-being.

What Is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care?

The main difference between palliative care and hospice care is the life expectancy of the care recipient. Palliative services can be provided regardless of life expectancy and can occur at the same as medical treatment. Hospice care is only provided after a terminal diagnosis, when treatment for the condition has completed.

What Are Some Examples of Palliative Care?

Examples of palliative care include:

• Assisting the care recipient with personal activities, such as dressing and grooming, with the goal of minimizing pain and discomfort
• Helping the care recipient engage in favorite activities, personal pastimes, and joyful routines
• Providing the care recipient with daily companionship and conversation, and assisting with visits by family and friends
• Creating a relaxing and positive environment for the care recipient, helping them find hope and peace of mind

How Long Can You Use Palliative Care?

Palliative care services can be provided regardless of a person's life expectancy. A person receiving palliative home care may live for several months, several years, or even several decades, depending on their prognosis and their response to medical treatment.