United States Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Health Care Upstate New York - VISN 2

Geriatrics and Extended Care

Hospice and Palliative Care

Advanced Illness Care
  man staring off in the distance
 
References
gray arrow Contact Information
gray arrow The Center for Advanced Illness Coordinated Care *
gray arrow Hospice and Palliative Care Assoc. of New York State *
The Advanced Illness Care Coordination Program is a comprehensive approach to advanced illness/end of life care. The program uses a case management approach by a nurse or a social worker to reduce barriers and facilitate discussions among doctors, nurses and patients to ensure support, mutual-participation, informed choices, and patient autonomy.

 Palliative Care
Palliative Care is for veterans who are nearing the end of their life due to an illness. Since a cure is not possible, the goal is to reduce the patient's pain and discomfort as much as possible. Palliative care strives to help patients stay as comfortable as possible in a home-like setting. The patient and family's personal choices are supported in many ways. For example, families are able to visit "around-the-clock" and patients and families are encouraged to join staff and volunteers in "life celebrations" to help to enrich the meaning and quality of the patient's life.

Hospice Care
Hospice Care is a type of Palliative Care. A patient receiving Hospice Care typically has a terminal condition with a life expectancy of less than six months. The patient does not receive treatment that would prolong his/her life.

 


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