Palliative Care

An approach which improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening and/or chronic illness, through the prevention, assessment, and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems.

The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of the disease or the need for other therapies. Palliative care is both a philosophy of care and an organized, highly structured system for delivering care. Palliative care expands traditional disease-model medical treatments to include the goals of enhancing quality of life for patients and families, optimizing function, helping with decision-making and providing opportunities for personal growth. As such, it can be delivered concurrently with life-prolonging care or as the main focus of care.
World Health Organization, 2002

• UC Davis Social Services
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• UC Davis Clinical Pastoral Services
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• Aging with Dignity (Five Wishes)
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
• California Hospice & Palliative Care Association
• Center to Advance Palliative Care
• Donate Life California (Organ/Tissue Donation)
• Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
• International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care
• Make a Wish
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
• Sacramento Hospice Consortium
• San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care