Palliative Care

Palliative Care is NOT HOSPICE, rather it is an approach to care providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious, often life-threatening illness.

Some common illnesses treated by our Palliative Care Team include Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of Dementia, Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Failure, Liver or Kidney Failure, COPD, and many others.

Our Palliative Care Team consists of healthcare professionals, social workers, spiritual counselors, and other specialists who work with the patient’s existing healthcare providers to provide relief – whatever the diagnosis. This extra layer of support is appropriate at any age, including Pediatric patients, and at any stage in the serious illness. In fact, you can involve Palliative Care upon your initial diagnosis. Palliative Care may be provided along with curative treatment (for example, alongside Chemotherapy).

Four Seasons is known for providing excellent provider-led Palliative Care, with fast response times, and high patient satisfaction.

Goals of Palliative Care

Prevent frequent burdensome hospitalizations
Optimize quality of life for you and your family
Help you better understand your condition and your care choices
Empower you and your family in managing complex illnesses
Provide expert symptom management
Improve your ability to go through medical treatments
Allow extra time for communication
Help in navigating the healthcare system

Dr. John Morris explains Palliative Care and illustrates how Four Seasons provides the Care You Trust.

Did You Know that ANYONE Can Request Palliative Care?

You don’t need a doctor’s referral.

To request care, call us at: 828.692.6178 or 866.466.9734 (toll-free) or

REQUEST CARE

Who Needs Palliative Care?

Patients of any age, including Pediatric patients, who are living with a life-limiting, serious illness like Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia, Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Failure, Liver or Kidney Failure, COPD, and others who may still be seeking curative, life-prolonging treatment.

Who Provides Care?

A Palliative Care Team consists of a Provider (Physician, Physician’s Assistant, Nurse Practitioner), Social Worker, Chaplain, Music Therapist, and other specialists who work together with your primary health care provider to manage the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual and loved one(s).

Where is Care Provided?

Palliative Care is provided wherever the patient receives care – a private home, nursing center, assisted living community, the hospital, and also at our out-patient clinics. It is provided in all of the counties that Four Seasons serves: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, and Transylvania.

When Should I Request Palliative Care?

Palliative Care is a valuable option for patients diagnosed with a serious illness like Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia, Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Failure, Liver or Kidney Failure, COPD, and others. Palliative Care can be provided regardless of whether or not someone is receiving curative or life-prolonging treatments. It can also be provided at the same time as home health services.

Why Should You Choose Four Seasons?

We offer Fast Response & Reliable Care
Four Seasons is known for fast response times and we are on call 24 hours a day to provide support and give you peace of mind. Instead of waiting for a doctor’s appointment or hospital visit, many times our Palliative Care Team can take care of your needs more immediately.

We are a Highly Rated, Award-Winning, Not for Profit Organization
Being a not-for-profit organization doesn’t mean the care at Four Seasons is inferior. On the contrary, Four Seasons is a nationally-recognized organization, achieving Deemed Status in the 2021 Joint Commission Survey, awarded Hospice Honors for a high level of quality care, and bestowed the Circle of Life Award, awarded for Four Seasons provision of innovative care. Being a Not-for-Profit Organization is a great thing, because it means we are free to focus on the patient, and to provide care to everyone, no matter of their ability to pay.

What Services does the Care Team Provide?

We collaborate with your existing health care providers to coordinate care (we don’t replace your doctor, we are additional support for you)
Provide Pain and Symptom Management
Conduct a Medical Exam
Provide Healthcare Social Work Support
Conduct a Medication Audit to prevent drug interactions
Provide Emotional and Spiritual Support from qualified professionals
Offer assistance with Advance Care Planning

How Does Palliative Care Help?

This specialized care helps you carry on with your daily life. You can expect relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping.

How is Palliative Care Paid For?

Payment for Palliative Care is the same as any other medical provider coverage provided by your insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Palliative Care is a consultative specialist to your primary care physician and is considered the same as if your primary care physician recommends any specialist. As with any specialist your provider refers you to, your insurance policy will outline co-payments and any other financial obligations you will be responsible for during your consultation. There are options available for patients with a decreased ability to pay for services.

Commercial Insurance
Medicare
Medicaid
Medications paid by commercial insurance or Medicare D
Private Pay
VA
Four Seasons Foundation

Call 828.692.6178 anytime 24/7

A member of our Care Team is available to speak with you about your needs and how we can help.

Palliative Care Information & Articles

Cardiac Care at Four Seasons

Authors: Dr. Ruth Thomson, Four Seasons Chief Medical Officer, and Leisl Vale, Four Seasons Marketing Coordinator In partnership with the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) and the American Heart Association (AHA), Four Seasons is...

National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

Four Seasons is grateful to be a leading provider of Palliative and Hospice Care in thirteen counties in Western North Carolina. During November, which is recognized as National Palliative and Hospice Care Month, we are dedicated to increasing awareness and providing...