Palliative Care
The focus of palliative care is patient and family-centered care that optimizes comfort and quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating the symptoms from disease and side effects of treatment. This is done by coordinating care with the patient's primary care or specialty care provider.
About Levos Palliative Care
Hospice of Central PA's palliative care service is called Levos Palliative Care. Levos serves as an adjunct, home-based service for those who are chronically or terminally ill. Examples of these types of illnesses are: advanced cancers, congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The name Levos comes from the Latin word "levo" which means to lift up or to relieve. Please call (717) 562-7000 to reach our Levos team.
The Levos Palliative Care team
The Levos Palliative Care team includes palliative care providers (doctors and nurse practitioners), patient care guides (nursing), social workers and chaplains. This allows for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family to be addressed.
A shared decision-making model
Levos Palliative Care strives for and promotes shared decision making among the patient, family and the treating providers. These discussions present both the benefits and burdens of the treatment choices available to the patient. The role of Levos staff and clinicians in this process is to listen and clarify the wishes of the patient regarding future tests, treatments and care plans.
Coordination of services
The patient care guide will help patients navigate the healthcare system. This means that the patient care guide will help you access appropriate and timely care, find doctors and review treatment options. In short, the patient care guide serves as the coach of the health care team.
Palliative care and hospice care
The main difference between palliative care and hospice care is that palliative care can be offered when the patient is receiving life-prolonging treatment for their illness. Both hospice care and palliative care offer compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. In short, all hospice care is palliative, but not all palliative care is hospice care.
Goals of supportive care
- Provide comprehensive assessment and treatment of symptoms.
- Assist patients and families with complex medical decision making.
- Provide support to help patients and families during illness and treatment.
- Coordinate care with the patient’s primary care or specialty care provider.
- Decrease emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
- Offer emotional and spiritual support to patients and families coping with serious illness.
- Clarify values, preferences and goals of care.
- Assist with advance care planning.
Can I afford Levos Palliative Care?
In most instances, Levos Palliative Care physician/practitioner visits are paid for by Medicare, Medicaid or the patient’s private insurance. In some cases, a co-payment may apply. A Levos representative will help you determine what fees, if any, may apply with your particular health care coverage.
If you are interested in talking with our staff regarding Levos Palliative Care, please call 717-562-7000 to reach a member of our Levos team.