What is the purpose of OSF's palliative care program?

The primary purpose of OSF's palliative care program is to provide specialized care for patients dealing with serious illnesses, with an emphasis on improving their quality of life. This approach is centered around understanding the individual needs of patients and offering support that encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects.

Palliative care is not limited to end-of-life scenarios; it can be integrated at any point during a serious illness and is designed to work alongside other treatments the patient may be receiving. This holistic approach helps manage symptoms, reduce suffering, and enhance overall well-being, allowing patients and their families to focus on what is most important to them during challenging times.

In contrast, options that focus on aggressive treatment or solely on curative methods do not align with the objectives of palliative care, which prioritizes comfort and quality of life over solely prolonging life or treating the illness aggressively. Routine health check-ups do not encapsulate the specialized and supportive nature of palliative care, which is tailored to address the specific challenges faced by individuals with serious health conditions.