Pathways Palliative Care Program

Pain and Symptom Management

At Pathways we respect the individuality of our patients and families, and we know that their approaches to serious illness may vary. The care team recognizes the difficult transition patients and families must make as cure becomes less likely, and the focus of care begins shifting to comfort measures.

Pathways Palliative Care provides home care services to patients who:

• Have a life-limiting illness and a life expectancy of 12 months or less
• Have pain or symptom management needs that require skilled care
• Are home bound and want care at home
• May be receiving curative or palliative (comfort) treatments
• Are not eligible for, or do not want, a referral to hospice at the time
• May also have psycho-social or spiritual concerns

The primary goals of the Palliative Care team are to manage symptoms for patient comfort, and to enable patients and families to successfully manage care at home. The team consists of specially trained nurses, social workers, and home health aides. A nurse is on-call 24 hours a day for telephone consultation or visits if needed.

If at some point the patient’s life expectancy changes to six months or less, he or she may transfer to Pathways Hospice for even more comprehensive end-of-life care. We make this transition as seamless as possible.

Arranging Home Health Care

If you are hospitalized, talk with your doctor, nurse or hospital social worker about home care and ask for Pathways as your home health provider. We will work closely with them to provide a smooth transition from hospital to your home.

If you are not in the hospital you can talk with your doctor or with our admissions staff. We will work with your doctor to develop a plan for your home health care. Our insurance coordinator will verify benefits for you.

Pathways Palliative Care Program Informational Download

• Pathways Palliative Care Program Information Sheet

Contact our Intake Department if you have any questions or for more information about starting home health care services by calling 1.888.755.7855 or 408.730.5900.