Palliative and Supportive Care

Improving Quality of Life For Patients Dealing With Serious Chronic Illness

St. Luke’s Palliative and Supportive Care provides a team approach to:

Caring for the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of patients with a life-limiting illness.

Supporting the patients’ families.

With the patient at the center, the care team aims to improve quality of life by helping the patient and family focus on what is important – what brings value to their lives. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of illness and may be provided at the same time as curative treatments. Although we treat the disease and/or its symptoms, we care for you.

Who Provides Palliative Care Services?

Palliative and Supportive Care Services are provided by specially trained doctors, nurse practitioners, advance practitioners, nurses and social workers. This special team of experts work with you to assess your physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs and provide care for you and your family.

Improve quality of life
Control pain and other symptoms
Communicate with other health care professionals involved in your care and coordinate care
Support your family and caregivers
Provide you with emotional and spiritual support
Plan your care
Reduce stress and anxiety experienced by your family and friends

When Should You Seek Palliative Care?

Palliative care is appropriate and can be provided at any age and any stage of illness. In fact, to achieve your goals and improve your quality of life, it's best to seek palliative care sooner rather than later. Receiving palliative care is not dependent on your prognosis and you can receive it alongside curative care.

If you have been diagnosed with a serious, long lasting disease or life-threatening illness, Palliative and Supportive Care can make your life – and lives of your loved ones – less stressful.