Palliative Care
Singing River Supportive Care Services is an expert provider of palliative care—a medical service that helps improve quality of life for patients and their families.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care that focuses on providing comfort and support to patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses. It can begin early and continue alongside your regular treatments. The goal is to improve how you feel and help you understand your care options.
Palliative Care Services
Symptom Management
We provide relief from symptoms that disrupt your daily life. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Medication Review & Optimization
Our team reviews your medications to make sure they are safe, effective, and working together the way they should. We communicate with your doctors to adjust or simplify your medication plan when needed.
Help With Medical Decisions
Serious illness can make decision-making difficult. We take the time to explain your options, talk through your goals, and help create a care plan that matches what matters most to you. Family members and caregivers are encouraged to join your visits.
Whole-Person Support for You and Your Family
Illness affects the body, emotions, and spirit. We offer support in all of these areas. Social workers and chaplains are available when needed.
Coordinated Care
We work closely with your full care team, including your primary care provider, specialists, social workers, chaplains, home health providers, and family members. Everyone stays on the same page so your care feels connected, clear, and helps prevent confusion.
Who Should Get Palliative Care?
Palliative care is helpful for anyone with a serious illness that affects comfort, independence, or quality of life. You may benefit if you have difficult symptoms, frequent hospital visits, or uncertainty about treatment choices.
We care for people living with a wide range of illnesses, including:
- Advanced heart disease, including heart failure
- Cancer, at any stage
- Advanced lung disease, such as COPD or pulmonary hypertension
- Kidney disease, including end-stage renal disease
- Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, ALS, or stroke after-effects
- Advanced dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or cognitive decline
- Serious chronic illnesses with complex symptoms
This list is not complete. If your illness affects your comfort or daily life, you are welcome to ask about a referral even if your condition is not listed.
When Should I Start Palliative Care?
Earlier is better. Getting support early helps you maintain your quality of life instead of trying to regain it later. Early involvement allows our team to build a relationship with you, follow your progress, and step in quickly when symptoms start to change.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Many people confuse palliative care with hospice care, but they are not the same. Both focus on comfort, but they serve patients at different stages of illness.
| Category | Palliative Care | Hospice Care |
|---|---|---|
| Who It Helps | Anyone with a serious illness at any stage. You can still receive treatment meant to cure or slow down your disease. | People with a life-limiting illness who are no longer receiving curative treatment. Usually for those with a life expectancy of six months or less. |
| Purpose | To improve daily comfort, manage symptoms, and support you while you continue regular treatment. | To provide comfort, dignity, and support at the end of life. |
| Treatment | Works alongside all other treatments, including chemo, dialysis, surgery, and specialist care. | Curative treatments stop. The focus is on comfort and support for the patient and family. |
| Where Care Happens | In the hospital or at the Singing River Supportive Care Clinic next to Ocean Springs Hospital. | At home, in nursing homes, assisted living, or in a dedicated hospice facility. |
| Care Team | A team trained in supportive care, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. We coordinate closely with your regular doctors. | Hospice nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and a hospice medical director. |
| Length of Care | No time limit. You can receive palliative care for months or even years. | Designed for the final months of life. Care continues as long as you meet hospice guidelines. |
| Insurance | Usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance like other specialist visits. | Covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Medicaid, and most private insurance. |
| Family Support | Helps families understand choices, make decisions, and prepare for next steps. Family is encouraged to be part of your visits. | Offers caregiver support, respite care, home help, and grief support after the patient’s passing. |
