McLaren Health Care
Palliative Care

Palliative Care Services

Specialized medical care for people with serious illness, palliative care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of your condition. McLaren Palliative Care can help if you are dealing with a severe medical condition, experiencing discomfort, or facing complex health decisions. And with McLaren Palliative Care--Michigan's first and only CHAP accredited provider--you're in good hands.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care focuses on improving your quality of life while providing relief from the symptoms of both your disease and treatment (such as pain, depression, fatigue, shortness of breath, or nausea). It is for people living with serious, complex and chronic illnesses such as the following:

• Alzheimer's
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cancer
• Cardiac Disease such as Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Kidney Failure
• Parkinson's

People facing serious illness benefit from palliative care at any stage of their illness. It can be provided anywhere you call home, including in an assisted living facility (ALF), skilled nursing facility (SNF), or adult foster care home (AFC).

What's the difference between palliative care and hospice?

Hospice is a type of palliative care that is a comfort-focused and meant for patients with terminal illnesses in the final months of life. Palliative care is available at any time during your illness. Unlike hospice, you can receive palliative care at the same time you're receiving curative treatments.

Qualifications and coverage

Most insurance plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or part of palliative care. Before you begin palliative care, we will let you know how much your insurance, Medicare or Medicaid will pay. We will also tell you if any services are not covered, and how much you will be responsible for out-of-pocket.

The palliative care team

Your palliative care team includes a physician and nurse practitioner trained in pain and symptom management. Your palliative care team may also include a medical social worker and volunteers.

This team provides support and education to you and your family and coordinates medical care with your other health care providers between the hospital and home.

How to receive palliative care

Your physician must write an order for you to start palliative care. Once your doctor refers you to McLaren Palliative Care, we will schedule a consultation with you. At that appointment, we will come to you to discuss your needs and ask you some questions about your health.

Service area

McLaren Palliative Care currently provides service in Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties in Michigan.