COVID-19: Get the latest information on vaccines, testing, treatment, visiting us and more
A close-up shot of a woman cradling an older woman's hand in both of hers.

Palliative care

Our board-certified palliative medicine doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers and spiritual counselors are dedicated to providing comfort for those experiencing pain and stress due to a serious illness.

We’re here with education and guidance. Whether you’d like help discussing care options, setting goals for care or completing an advance directive, we can support you.

Your comfort and peace of mind are our priority. You and your family can expect personalized care and compassionate support every step of the way.

When you have a serious illness, you may experience distressing symptoms that can make it difficult to live the life you want. Palliative care is care that supports you and your loved ones through the challenges that come with managing a serious illness. Palliative care is not the same as hospice or end-of-life care. Your serious illness doesn’t have to be life threatening in order for you to get palliative care.

Palliative care is designed to improve your quality of life through symptom management and emotional support. You can receive palliative care at the same time as you receive chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis, physical therapy, surgery or other medical treatments.

Our palliative care team works alongside the doctor or specialist who is already caring for you to help provide symptom relief and support services while you’re receiving treatment. No matter your diagnosis, our experienced team is here to help you find comfort and identify what matters most in terms of your health care.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is a type of medical care that helps keep you comfortable while managing a serious illness. The goal of palliative care is to improve your quality of life and help relieve stress you and your family might feel. Palliative care can include pain and symptom management, spiritual counseling, education and other support.

Who benefits from palliative care?

People of all ages and stages of illness can benefit from palliative care – and caregivers and families can, too.

What kind of help will I get with palliative care?

Palliative care specialists provide both physical and emotional support. For physical symptoms like pain, nausea, fatigue and lack of appetite, our clinicians may recommend a combination of medication, therapies, community resources or counseling for relief.

Emotional and spiritual pain can be just as difficult to cope with as physical pain. Help for these symptoms can be found through counseling with one of our compassionate social workers or spiritual counselors. Our goal is to engage you in discussions about what matters most so we are able to provide care and support that is consistent with your values and beliefs.

Services we provide

  • Partnering with your doctor or specialist
  • Guidance with difficult treatment choices
  • Support to help you receive the kind of care you wish to receive
  • Help with completion of forms that state your care goals and wishes (advance care planning)
  • Pain and symptom management
  • Patient and caregiver education focused on your medical condition
  • Caregiver support
  • Emotional support
  • Spiritual counseling
  • Continuity of care if you are hospitalized
  • Connecting you with resources to improve your quality of life

Symptom management for certain health conditions

Palliative care can help people manage symptoms of serious illnesses and chronic conditions, including yet not limited to:

Care where you need it – at the clinic, hospital and your home

No matter where you are, we can connect you with palliative care. For the convenience of our patients, we provide palliative care in clinics where you receive specialty care, like neurology or cardiology. We also offer palliative care in our hospitals. And if your illness makes it difficult to visit your care team, we can send the care team to you or provide a telehealth visit. Whether you’re at home, a transitional care center, a nursing home or an assisted living facility, our team of doctors and nurse practitioners can see you there.

To learn more about community-based palliative care, call us at 952-883-6875.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Our compassionate care team includes board-certified palliative medicine doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses with specialized training. Social workers and spiritual counselors help discuss your care goals and provide emotional support services for patients and families.

Palliative care is designed to help you live well with a serious illness. Palliative care specialists help you manage symptoms and provide guidance as you make decisions about your health care.

Hospice care is a type of palliative care for people who have months, rather than years, to live. The focus of hospice shifts to providing the care and support someone needs to make the best of each day during an advanced illness.

If it is safe for all, we encourage your family to be with you during your palliative care visit. Together, we can talk about your goals of care, including treatment options for your illness, symptoms and pain.

In most cases, telehealth visits for palliative care are covered by insurance. Talk with your plan if you have questions or concerns.

Yes, we are licensed to provide care in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Palliative care services do not include direct care services, such as home health care. If you are looking for information about our home care services, you can visit our home care services page.

We accept most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, CIGNA, HealthPartners, Medica, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, PreferredOne and many others.

You can check with your insurance to see if your plan covers part or all of the palliative care services needed. Call the number on the back of your card for help looking at your options.

Don’t have your card in front of you? Here are member services numbers to help you get started:

Resources