Palliative Care at University of Colorado Hospital
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is the medical specialty focused on relief of pain, stress, and other debilitating symptoms of serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for you and your family.
Our palliative care program helps you by:
- Identifying the full spectrum of physical, spiritual and psychological care options available to you.
- Matching your goals and values to a customized care plan.
- Enhancing curative care with heightened symptom control and relief.
- Empowering you and your family to make fully informed choices.
- Supporting all involved in the process, from diagnosis through grief.
- Providing fellowship training for physicians to increase access to this specialty and service.
For more information, contact the Palliative Care team at (720) 848-6799.
What services are available?
The specific combination of services provided depends on your needs. These include:
- Expert treatment of pain and other symptoms
- Exploring the strength to carry on with daily life
- Maintaining hope
- Emotional and spiritual support
- Better understanding of your condition and choices for medical care
- Enriching communication between you, your family and health care providers
- Guidance with diffcult treatment choices
- Knowing what care services are available after leaving the hospital
How can patients receive services?
Getting palliative care is easy. You can request a referral by talking to your primary doctor. Our Palliative Care team works with your primary doctor, who continues to direct your care.
When is the right time for palliative care?
It's never too early to receive palliative care. It helps at any stage of an illness, and can be delivered at the same time as curative therapies.
Is palliative care the same as hospice care?
No. Hospice care is meant specifically for those approaching the final months of life, while palliative care is appropriate for any stage of a serious illness. Hospice care may take place in your home or other setting. If or when hospice care is desired, the palliative care team can assist with this transition.
Where can I find hospice care resources?
How can I contribute?
UCH Palliative Care needs your help!
Every social, medical and financial indicator says that the community’s need for palliative medical treatment will soon soar.
In order to meet the community’s needs, we have set the following fundraising priorities:
- Priority 1: Raise $100,000 each year to fund a physician fellowship position. Learn more about this fellowship.
- Priority 2: Raise $100,000 to endow the CU Palliative Care Research Day.
- Priority 3: Secure $5 million to ensure that the CU Palliative Care program will be able to provide vital health care professional training and to advance research immediately informing Palliative Care practice.
Click here to learn the many ways you can contribute!