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.

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.

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. If you have a copay with your primary care provider you will likely have a copay with palliative care.

The palliative care team

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

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

How to receive palliative care

Once you are enrolled into McLaren Palliative Care, we will schedule a consultation with you. At that appointment, we will 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.