Palliative Care
When you or a loved one needs comfort care, making sure pain is controlled and your family has the help and support they need while dealing with serious illness, knowing the illness cannot be cured, MaineGeneral is here for you.
We help you live well.
We start with what is important to you, what makes you feel good about yourself. We focus on caring for you as a person using a variety of therapies to relieve pain and symptoms.
We will help you anticipate, prevent and treat various symptoms, including:
- Anxiety
- Breathing problems
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Emotional distress
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Mouth sores
- Nausea
- Pain
We can also help:
- Manage your health care needs and future wishes
- Make your medical treatments easier to handle
- Make sure you understand your condition and medical care choices
- Foster open communication among health care providers and your loved ones
- Provide emotional support for you and your family
Why is Palliative Care Important?
If you have a serious disease, you may have several types of treatment during the course of your illness such as radiation, chemotherapy, breathing machines or surgical procedures.
You may have many hospital admissions in a year and may not respond as well as you hope to the treatment you receive.
When the burdens of treating an illness outweigh the benefits, the goal of your care may change from curing to comfort so you can live the rest of your life to the fullest.
As you near the end of life, palliative care may extend to involve hospice care if you and your family wish.
Our Professional Team
At MaineGeneral, palliative care is provided by a team of professionals dedicated to providing the best possible quality of life for you and your family.
Our team includes:
Billing and Insurance Information
Palliative care is covered by Medicare, MaineCare and most private insurance companies. Insurance also covers most medications and therapies. If you have a question about coverage, please contact your insurance provider.
The staff at MaineGeneral's Business Office can also help answer insurance coverage questions. You can reach them at (207) 872-4680 or toll-free (877) 255-4680.
Common Palliative Care Questions
Who can benefit from palliative care?
Palliative care is for everyone with serious and chronic illness. Many patients continue to pursue curative treatments while receiving palliative care.
What questions will the MaineGeneral Palliative Care team ask?
Because we focus on quality of life, we may ask:
- Do you have any symptoms that are bothering you right now?
- What gives meaning to your life?
- How would you like to spend your time among work, school, family, hobbies and other activities?
- How can we help you and your family cope with the changes caused by your illness?
- Do you have a Health Power of Attorney, Living Will or Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)?
How is palliative care different from Hospice?
Palliative care is appropriate for any stage of serious illness. Hospice care is meant specifically for those approaching the last stages of life.
How can I receive palliative care?
To begin receiving palliative care, please ask your health care provider for a referral. MaineGeneral Palliative Care's team can help whether you are in the hospital, another health care setting or at home.
How is palliative care paid for?
Palliative care is often covered by insurance and government programs.
Helpful Resources
Quality Data
At MaineGeneral, we believe you should have accurate information to help you choose a health care provider or medical practice based on the quality of care you can expect to receive.
Click the Patient Experience button below for information about our level of care based on medical practice survey responses from patients.
Patient Experience
