Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients and the families of patients dealing with a progressive, serious or chronic illness or injury. OhioHealth's palliative care teams work with your doctor to enhance the treatment you are already receiving with the goal of pain control and managing other symptoms and to provide psychological and spiritual support throughout the disease process so you can have the best possible comfort and quality of life.

Hospitals Providing Palliative Care

Choosing palliative care is not "giving up," rather it is choosing to have more control over pain and symptoms. It helps the patient, family and the patient's physician when:

• It is difficult to control pain and debilitating symptoms
• Ethical decision-making is unclear
• Complex physical, psychological and social suffering requires extensive evaluation and close follow-up

The palliative care team of trained professionals includes:

• Palliative care physician
• Clinical nurse specialist in the palliative field
• Social worker
• Spiritual care provider

The patient's physician remains in charge of the patient's care. Palliative care complements the attending physician's care when comfort, counseling and quality of life become increasingly important.

How to Contact OhioHealth Palliative Care Services

• To learn more about palliative care at Riverside Methodist, call (614) 566-5019.
• To learn more about palliative care at Grant Medical Center, call (614) 566-7255.