Palliative Medicine

Archbold provides inpatient and outpatient palliative medicine services to residents of Thomas County and the surrounding areas. Palliative medicine is specialized medical care for people living with serious illness. This type of medicine is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness and the goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the patient’s family.

Team Approach

The palliative medicine team works in partnership with your own doctor to provide an extra layer of support for you and your family. The team provides symptom management, extra time for communication about goals and treatment options and help to navigate the health system.

How Is Palliative Medicine Different From Hospice?

Palliative care is available at any age, any stage of serious illness and can be done alongside curative treatment. You do not have to be at the end of life to receive palliative medicine and you are able to continue to see specialists and primary care physicians.

Types of illness or disease seen by Palliative Medicine*

• Metastatic or recurrent cancer
• Advanced COPD, end-stage renal disease, congestive heart failure
• End-stage dementia
• Stroke with decreased function
• Neuromuscular disease
• Any moderate to advanced concomitant disease

*This is not a comprehensive list. Please talk with your healthcare provider to see if palliative medicine is right for you or your loved one.

What types of services or treatment does Palliative Medicine provide?

• Symptom management
• Goals of care conversations
• Complex medical decision-making discussion
• Life-sustaining decision discussion/Advanced Care Planning
• Medication recommendation
• Code status discussion
• Patient and family support
• Hospice introduction/transition

A physician referral is required for palliative medicine so talk with your doctor if you think you could benefit from these services.