What is palliative care?

Palliative Care is a medical specialty for people living with serious illness. It is appropriate for any age or stage in a serious illness. Palliative care can be received alongside any disease-directed treatment you choose. Please visit our “What Is Palliative Care” page to read more about palliative care.

Who qualifies for palliative care?

Many insurance companies cover this care. Our organization serves Partnership HealthPlan of California and Blue Shield of California patients with Continuity Palliative Care benefits. We also offer a self-pay option.

Our team will be happy to discuss the options available to you.

What kind of patients choose palliative care?

Patients come to palliative care with a wide variety of needs. Some patients who may choose palliative care include:

• Patients with complex medical and psychosocial needs
• Patients who have uncontrollable pain

The ideal timeframe for receiving palliative care is at the time of a serious diagnosis. Support from your palliative care team can make the transition easier and help clarify your path forward.

How can I ask for palliative care? 

You don’t have to wait until your physician brings up palliative care. We recommend asking your physician to explain your illness and any current or future treatments, procedures, and services—including palliative care—that you may require as your disease progresses. Telling your physician exactly what quality of life means to you will assist you, your physician, and your family in making intentional, informed decisions about your care.

Madrone Care Network will evaluate all referrals. Primary care provider, specialist, case manager, and self referrals can be accepted. If you’d like to make a referral, please fill out our Referral Form and our team will be in touch.

How does palliative care work?

Individuals are often referred to palliative care at the onset of a serious illness by their physician. You can also ask your physician about palliative care. The intention of palliative care is to provide information to the patient and family so they can determine their goals and desired outcomes. 

How is palliative care different from hospice care?

Both palliative care and hospice aim to improve quality of life for seriously ill patients using an interdisciplinary team approach to care delivery. The key difference is that palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness alongside curative treatments, while hospice care is specifically for patients nearing the end of life with a limited life expectancy, where curative treatment is no longer the focus and comfort care takes priority. Essentially, palliative care can be a part of a patient’s treatment plan throughout their illness, while hospice care is typically initiated when a patient is expected to die within a relatively short time frame.

Key points to remember:

• Timing: Palliative care can begin at diagnosis of a serious illness and continue throughout treatment, while hospice care starts when a patient is considered terminally ill and has a limited life expectancy (usually 6 months or less). 

• Treatment focus: Palliative care aims to manage symptoms and improve quality of life while still pursuing curative treatments, whereas hospice focuses primarily on comfort care and symptom management with the goal of maximizing quality of life in the final stages of life. 

• Eligibility: Anyone with a serious illness can receive palliative care, while hospice care requires a doctor’s certification that the patient has a terminal illness with a limited life expectancy.

Do you offer bilingual services?  

Yes! Many of our staff members speak both English and Spanish, and we have readily available access to translation services for nearly every language.

Where does palliative care take place?

Palliative care occurs wherever you call home. It can be provided through in-person visits or via telehealth (video or phone calls).

What services are included?

Madrone Care Network provides 24/7 care by a specialty-trained team of compassionate physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, certified medical assistants, social workers, chaplains, community health workers, and patient care coordinators.  

Madrone Care Network Focuses On: 

• Helping you and your loved ones achieve a better quality of life
• Providing relief from pain, stress, and other symptoms
• Meeting your individual needs by collaborating with your caregivers, other care providers, and local community resources
• Advanced Care Planning: helping you clarify your goals and wishes (see below for more information)

We also offer:

• Coordination of care
• Individualized Care Plans
• Support navigating the healthcare system
• Assessment and treatment recommendations
• Advanced Care Planning
• Social and emotional support
• Spiritual support
• Connection to local community resources

Our goal is to advocate for our patients, based on their unique needs. We offer individualized care for you and those who matter to you by collaborating with family, caregivers and other providers; walking with you through a difficult time; and helping you make informed decisions.

About Advanced Care Planning

One of the processes we prioritize and consider essential is Advanced Care Planning. We would like to emphasize the importance of Advanced Care Planning throughout the progression of a person’s illness.

What Is an Advance Health Care Directive?

An advance health care directive is a written expression of what a person does and doesn’t want if he or she becomes ill and can’t communicate or make decisions. The directive contains written instructions concerning future medical care and/or identifies your selected healthcare decision maker to act on your behalf when you are not able to act for yourself. 

Do I Have to Have a Written Form to Make My Wishes Legal?

No. While you’re in a healthcare facility, oral instructions given to your family or physician are just as legally binding as written ones. It is important to understand that oral instructions only apply during your stay in a healthcare facility. Physicians are required to document any instructions you provide in your medical record. However, be aware that many disputes arise when health care agents, physicians, and family members have different interpretations of oral instructions. The clearer you are about your wishes and the more you reinforce them in writing, the more likely it is that your choices will be followed and disagreements will be avoided.

There are various options for forms that can be completed to clarify your wishes. These forms differ in length and focus. Here is an example of one:

Unfortunately, the following situation is one that’s far too common and happens every day all across the country.

A family is gathered by the bedside of a loved one who has been seriously ill, and now is likely near the end of life. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done and what their loved one would have wanted. Throughout the course of the illness, the family never discussed what the care priorities should be in the final months and weeks of life.

Even in the final days of life, these important decisions go unaddressed. This can leave a dark shadow over the death of a loved one that can linger long in the memory of family and dear friends. No one wants to think they might have done more after a person is already gone.

Palliative care professionals see such challenging situations every day. It’s difficult to know if more could have been done for your loved one. Madrone Care Network recommends learning more about palliative care long before you or your loved one might need it. Don’t wait until you are in the midst of a healthcare crisis. When a family is coping with a serious illness and a cure is no longer possible, palliative care provides the type of care most people say they want at the end of life: comfort and dignity. Palliative providers can help with information about care options and choices and ensure you live as fully as possible throughout your entire life. They will make sure your loved ones receive support as well. One of the best ways to make sure you and your loved ones benefit fully from palliative care is to talk about it before it becomes an issue.