Understanding Palliative Care
Living with a serious illness can feel overwhelming. You may be managing symptoms, navigating treatments, or facing difficult decisions for yourself or someone you love. Empath Health's palliative care team helps relieve symptoms, provide guidance, and support your family, so you can focus on what matters most. Care is available alongside treatment and centered on improving quality of life every step of the way.
How Palliative Care Helps
Palliative care provides specialized support for people living with serious illness. Our team helps manage symptoms, coordinates care, offers emotional and spiritual support, and helps families navigate complex decisions with confidence and clarity. Whether care is provided at home, in the hospital, or in the community, our focus is helping people feel better supported and more in control of their journey.
Locations
Empath Palliative Care
Serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Marion, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties
Palliative Care
Frequently Asked Questions
What is palliative care?
Palliative care provides relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness, starting at any stage of diagnosis — even while curative treatments continue. It is focused on improving quality of life for both patients and their families.
Who can receive palliative care through Empath Health?
Palliative care is available to individuals of any age with a serious or life-limiting illness — including cancer, heart failure, dementia, and other progressive conditions. Our services are offered in a variety of settings, including hospitals, facilities, and the home, depending on the program and patient needs.
What kinds of symptoms does palliative care help manage?
Our teams help manage pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and other symptoms that interfere with daily life. We also provide emotional and spiritual support, help with complex decision-making, and guide conversations around goals of care and treatment choices.
How is this part of Full Life Care?
Palliative care reflects Full Life Care by addressing not just the illness, but the person and their entire circle of care. It empowers patients and families to make informed decisions, reduce suffering, and maintain comfort and connection through every phase of serious illness.
Is palliative care covered by insurance?
Yes. Most palliative care services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Our team will help determine eligibility and navigate the referral and billing process so that patients can focus on what matters most: comfort, clarity, and time together.
Is palliative care the same as hospice care?
No. Palliative care can begin at any stage of a serious illness and can be provided while treatment continues. Hospice care is typically appropriate when curative treatment is no longer being pursued.
When should someone consider palliative care?
Palliative care can begin at any stage of a serious illness. It's especially helpful for those facing difficult symptoms, frequent hospital visits, or uncertainty about their treatment plan. Early involvement allows our team to provide relief, guidance, and support throughout the journey, improving quality of life from the start.
Can palliative care be provided at home?
Yes. Depending on the patient's needs and location, Empath Health offers in-home palliative visits. This allows individuals to receive expert care in a familiar, comfortable setting, while also involving family members in care planning.
How does palliative care support caregivers and families?
Serious illness affects the whole family, and palliative care includes emotional, educational, and practical support for caregivers. We help families navigate medical decisions, cope with stress, and find resources for respite and self-care.
