PALLIATIVE CARE: LIVING BETTER WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS
A serious illness changes everything—not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and practically. Symptoms can be overwhelming. Medical decisions become complex. Daily life feels harder. You and your family need support.
That’s where ALC Palliative Care comes in.
Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on improving quality of life for people with serious illnesses. It addresses pain and symptoms, clarifies complex medical decisions, coordinates care across providers, and provides emotional and spiritual support, all while you continue any treatments you choose.
ALC’s experienced palliative care team provides compassionate, personalized care that honors your values and goals. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive support for you and your family, with 24/7 accessibility and coordination across all care settings.
We’re committed to improving your quality of life while working alongside your current healthcare providers.
WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a patient- and family-centered approach that improves quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses at any stage. This interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains addresses physical symptoms, emotional needs, spiritual concerns, and practical care coordination in hospitals, clinics, homes, and other care facilities.
COMPREHENSIVE PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES
ALC Home Health Care provides comprehensive care services all in the comfort and safety of home.
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Medical Services
Physician Oversight
- Complex symptom management, eligibility certification
- Supports ethical decision-making regarding goals of care.
- Your primary physician remains involved – partners in care
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Services
- Comprehensive assessment and management of symptoms
- Prescribing medications and treatments
- Disease progression education; Coordination of medical care
RN Case Manager
- Primary point of contact; Regular clinical assessments
- Monitoring of symptom management and treatment effectiveness
- Education for caregivers on care techniques
- Communication of changes to the team and physician/NP
Symptom Management
We specialize in managing the symptoms that affect quality of life:
- Pain Management: Through medications and complementary approaches
- Breathing Difficulties: Oxygen therapy, medications, and breathing techniques
- Fatigue and Weakness: Energy conservation strategies and supportive care
- Nausea/Digestive Issues: Medications and dietary modifications
- Anxiety/Depression: Counseling, coping strategies
- Sleep Disturbances: Sleep hygiene education and appropriate interventions
- Other Symptoms: Loss of appetite, confusion, and more
Psychosocial Support
Social Worker (MSW or LCSW)
- Assessment of family dynamics, caregiver stress, and emotional needs
- Grief and anticipatory loss support
- Coordination of community resources (e.g., Medicaid, food assistance, housing support)
- Facilitation of family meetings and difficult conversations about goals of care
- Assistance with advance care planning
Spiritual Care
Chaplain/Spiritual Care Provider
- Spiritual assessments and counseling
- Assistance with meaning-making, life review, and legacy work
- Facilitation of rituals or sacraments as requested
- Support for existential concerns and questions of meaning
- Available to all, regardless of religious affiliation Support for team members in processing difficult cases
Care Coordination
One of the most valuable aspects of palliative care:
- Communication and coordination among all your healthcare providers
- Help navigating the complex healthcare system Assistance understanding treatment options and making informed decisions
- Connection to community resources/support services
- Advance care planning, documentation of your wishes
- Support during transitions (hospital to home, changes in condition)
Volunteer Services
Our dedicated volunteers provide:
- Companionship and respite for caregivers
- Assistance with errands and light tasks
- Reading, music, or simply sitting with patients
- Legacy and storytelling support
WHY CHOOSE ALC FOR PALLIATIVE CARE
Since 2006, ALC has consistently earned top accolades and community support through our commitment to skilled, compassionate care across the continuum.
- Experienced Clinical Staff: BSN-prepared nurses with extensive experience in complex care situations.
- Compassionate, Ethical Culture: Our teams embrace unwavering dedication to the well-being, comfort, and unique needs of our patients and their loved ones. The longevity of our professional staff is unprecedented in our industry and reflects their strong commitment to ALC and our unique, compassionate culture.
- Holistic, Interdisciplinary Approach: We don’t just treat symptoms, we care for the whole person.
- Consistent, Honest Communication: Clear explanations of your illness and treatment options, help asking the right questions of your doctors, support during difficult conversations with family members, facilitation of family meetings to ensure everyone understands the situation, documentation of your wishes for future care
- Part of a Complete Continuum: Seamless integration with home health, primary care, wound care, hospice, and private duty services.
When your needs change, transitions are smooth and coordinated. You never have to start over with a new organization or repeat your story to strangers.
What makes ALC the right palliative care partner:
- Responsive and Reliable: We return calls promptly, admit patients quickly, and communicate proactively with your staff.
- Clinical Excellence: Our experienced team and proven outcomes mean you can be confident in the quality of care your residents receive.
- Reduced Hospitalizations: Proactive symptom management help keep residents comfortable and out of the hospital, which benefits your organization’s quality metrics and reputation.
- Enhanced Resident and Family Satisfaction: Access to quality palliative care improves resident outcomes and family satisfaction, key differentiators for your community.
- Seamless Communication: We coordinate closely with your staff, providing regular updates and collaborating on care plans.
- Support for Difficult Conversations: Our team can facilitate goals of care conversations with residents and families, helping clarify wishes and document advance directives—valuable support for your staff.
- Complete Continuum Access: One relationship with ALC gives you access to home health, primary care, wound care, palliative care, hospice, and private duty—simplifying referrals across the entire spectrum of resident needs.
We’re an extension of your care team, committed to making you look good while delivering exceptional care to those you serve.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM PALLIATIVE CARE?
Palliative care benefits patients with chronic and progressive illnesses, especially those with frequent hospitalizations or declining function.
- Cancer (at any stage)
- Heart failure
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Kidney failure
- Parkinson’s disease
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Stroke and neurological conditions Liver disease
- Advanced diabetes with complications
- Any serious, chronic, or life-limiting illness
HOW TO GET STARTED
Three Simple Steps
- Contact Us: Call us at 630-480-6887 or complete our online referral form. Your doctor can also make a referral on your behalf. We’re available to answer questions and discuss whether palliative care is appropriate for your situation.
- Initial Assessment: We coordinate with your physician and conduct a comprehensive in-home assessment to understand your needs, symptoms, goals, and concerns. This assessment typically takes 60-90 minutes and involves discussing your medical history, current symptoms, medications, and what matters most to you.
- Personalized Care Begins: Based on the assessment, we develop a personalized care plan and begin providing coordinated palliative care services. You’ll have regular visits from your RN case manager (typically monthly, or more often as needed), with access to our full interdisciplinary team and 24/7 support.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care services. We’ll verify your benefits and coordinate with your healthcare providers to ensure seamless care.