Palliative Care

Scripps palliative care offers a range of benefits to patients, family and caregivers, including:

• Help with pain relief
• Management of symptoms, such as nausea, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, dementia, depression, anxiety, grief and fatigue
• Access to education and resources related to care
• Assistance with care-related decisions, advanced care planning and appropriate documentation
• Coordination of all aspects of care, including medical, emotional and spiritual services
• Help with a smooth transition from the hospital to home and community, and referrals to our outpatient clinic

Patients who have been diagnosed with a serious illness, or who have a complex ongoing medical condition that affects their quality of life, may benefit from palliative care support and resources. In addition, palliative care can help people who are often hospitalized or frequently require emergency care.

Our patients have a range of conditions including:

• Cancer
• Congestive heart failure
• Advanced heart failure and left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Stroke
• End-stage renal failure (ESRF)
• Frailty
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Advanced lung disease

Our dedicated, multidisciplinary team offers the combined expertise and resources of experienced, caring palliative care specialists, including:

• Board-certified palliative medicine physicians
• Nurse practitioners
• Registered nurses
• Licensed clinical social workers

Should patients or families need other resources, such as in-home care or legal assistance, we can help with appropriate referrals.

Please prepare for your first appointment with Scripps Palliative Care by locating and organizing your medical records. Please plan to bring your records and documents, including:

• One valid photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, military ID or passport)
• Current insurance card(s)
• A list of your current physicians with addresses and phone numbers
• A list of your medications and dosages 
• Your pharmacy’s contact information
• A list of any allergies you have
• Medical power of attorney, living will and/or POLST form (if you have them)

Scripps offers a variety of patient support services to ensure your physical, psychological and emotional well-being, as well as resources for dealing with the logistical and financial aspects of your care. Our services and resources include:

• Home health care services when you require skilled intermittent care in the comfort of your home.
• Nutrition and weight-maintenance services via registered dietitians of Scripps Center for Weight Management and Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine.
• Physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy services including wound care, voice therapy and balance and vestibular rehabilitation, yoga and more.
• Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine for patients interested in mind-body healing through acupuncture, biofeedback, herbal nutrition, massage therapy and integrative cancer care.
• Visiting patient services if you reside beyond San Diego and want help arranging appointments or learning more about short-term lodging.
• Financial guidance and assistance for the uninsured and those struggling to pay medical costs and eligible for full or partial charity, the cash pay program or interest-free payment plans.
• Health insurance information to help you navigate the process of finding a physician who fits your needs and health plan

For the full list of offerings, please visit our patient resources section.

In support of our patients, their family members and the community, Scripps hosts a range of free workshops and health and wellness events on a number of topics from heart health to parenting classes, including topics such as:

• Nutrition
• Yoga
• Meditation

Check the current list of support offerings, or contact your social worker or case manager.