Palliative Care

Palliative care is treatment to relieve pain and is an important part of oncology patient care. Facing a serious illness or disability can be a trying and difficult experience for patients. At the same time, dealing with chronic illness and its associated symptoms can be emotionally, physically and spiritually disruptive to the family. The Porter Adventist Hospital Palliative Care Team, comprised of professionals trained to manage such issues, is dedicated to relieving symptoms and maintaining the best quality of life for patients and their families who, together, are fighting the disease.

Palliative care is available to patients at any stage of their illness, offering them a chance to aggressively treat the symptoms of their disease – for example, pain, shortness of breath, nausea – while continuing treatment. Effective palliative care increases the likelihood that patients will cope adequately with the rigors of their therapy and maintain a satisfying level of physical and psychosocial functioning.

Palliative care treats the patient and family as a unit, providing care to the caregivers, as well as to the patient.

 Learn more about palliative care at Porter Adventist Hospital.

Hospice Care

Porter Hospice provides professional and volunteer services to patients with cancer in the terminal stage of the disease.

For patients who desire a home-like setting, but require 24-hour care, Porter Hospice offers The Johnson Center. The Johnson Center is a hospice residence like no other. Beautifully-decorated, private bedrooms, comfortable living spaces and the smell of fresh-baked cookies are just a few of the things that set The Johnson Center apart from other hospice facilities. Home hospice care is designed for those patients who wish to remain in their homes at the end of life. Members of the hospice team will visit the patient’s home to make sure they are comfortable and well cared for.