Being hospitalized with a serious, progressive illness can often be difficult and overwhelming. You and your family may have questions about your illness and possible decisions regarding your care.
At Forrest General Hosptial, we have a special team to help you and your loved ones during this challenging time. Our Palliative and Supportive Care Team will become a partner with you, your family, and your primary healthcare team to meet your physical, emotional, and even spiritual needs.
Palliative Care is a specialized health care that provides both relief from the symptoms of a serious illness and support while you are navigating through the complexities of your diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both you and your family.
Palliative care is provided by a team who will dedicate time to support you and your family by assisting with the management of symptoms and helping you understand your treatment options and goals. It is appropriate for patients of all ages and any stage in a serious illness.
Advanced Care Planning
Advance care planning is a process individuals understand, reflect upon, and discuss goals for future healthcare decisions in the context of their values and beliefs.
Part of advanced care planning is producing a written plan that expresses the individual's preferences and thoroughly prepares others to make decisions consistent with these preferences. Visit the National Healthcare Decisions Day's website below for resources on writing advanced directives.
Learn more
What can I expect?
Our Palliative and Supportive Care Team works together with your doctors to make sure that you receive:
- Relief from symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, and more
- In-depth communication with you and your family about your goals, concerns, and treatment options
- Coordination of care among all of your health care providers
- Improved ability to tolerate medical treatments and the side effects of your disease so you can carry on with daily life
- Enhanced emotional and spiritual support
- Assistance with advanced care planning and discharge planning, as needed
Where can I receive palliative care?
Palliative care can occur simultaneously as other treatments for your illness. Currently, Forrest General Hospital offers palliative care to hospitalized patients.
Will my insurance cover palliative care?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care.
How do I begin?
You may already have been referred to the Palliative and Supportive Care Team. If not, just ask your doctor for a referral. We work together with your primary doctor and health care team.
For more information, call the Forrest General Hospital Palliative and Supportive Care office at 601-288-4306 or email us at alison.creel@forrestgeneral.com. We welcome questions from patients and family members.
