Across the state of Maine, we help people who have received a chronic and life-altering or life-limiting diagnosis live their best lives. Palliative Care helps patients navigate the challenges of a serious illness. It also assists in accessing medical care while adapting to a new way of life.
Northern Light Palliative Care is person and family centered. We help people feel better by addressing side-effects of disease and treatment. The improvements in quality of life enhance well-being while reducing their stress.
We provide information about disease management, symptom relief, and spiritual care. We also work with other healthcare providers. This helps ensure that people receive the right care for their specific needs.
Our Palliative Care teams help manage symptoms and support people living with serious illness, families, and caregivers every step of the way. They focus on advance care planning and adjusting to new life situations based on each person's needs. Our team helps people move or stay in their home, a long-term care facility, hospice, or healthcare setting. We assist them with transitions and hospitalizations, too.
When should Palliative Care be considered?
When someone gets a diagnosis of a chronic condition or serious disease, it’s important to know the treatment and care options. Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage of a person’s disease and treatment. We work in partnership with the individual’s care team. They treat the disease; palliative care helps the patient live well while managing it.
Besides disease management, palliative care treats the emotional, practical, social, or spiritual distress that illnesses can bring about.
5 most common reasons to consider Palliative Care
-
Distress form symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, nausea, fatigue, etc.
-
Difficulty being as active as they would like and getting to medical appointments.
-
Frequent emergency room visits or hospitalizations.
-
Feeling overwhelmed. Needing help to understand all the options.
-
The serious illness may be cancer, cardiac disease, lung disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or others.
We seek to help the patient live their best life through pain and symptom relief as well as psychological and spiritual care. Palliative care provides relief from nausea, pain, loss of appetite, sleeping problems, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms.
How does one gain access to palliative care?
If you or a loved one is managing a life-limiting disease, let’s talk. We will help you focus on relief of symptoms and gaining control over how you feel. Together, with oversight from referring providers, we work to focus on the person living their best possible life.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care. The healthcare team will check your insurance benefits and eligibility. They will also confirm what your plan covers. You can also call your insurance carrier in advance to inquire about palliative care services coverage.
Contact us today
If you or a loved one is managing a life-limiting disease, let’s talk. We will help you focus on relief of symptoms and gaining control over how you feel. Together, with oversight from the patient’s doctor, we work to focus on the patient living their best possible life.