Palliative Medicine Services

Palliative Medicine focuses on keeping the patient as comfortable as possible and includes a review of all of the medications a patient is currently taking. The patient is then carefully monitored so that adjustments to pain medications can be made as needed.

Patients who have chronic illnesses often experience additional symptoms such as breathing difficulties, fatigue, depression, insomnia, constipation or diarrhea. YRMC’s Palliative Medicine team assesses each patient’s symptoms and formulates a plan to address those symptoms.

With YRMC Palliative Medicine, treating emotional well-being is as important as treating illness and its symptoms. Emotional support as well as spiritual support is offered to the patient, their family members and other loved ones to help them cope with the illness and maintain the activities of daily living as much as possible.

Patients facing a serious illness can often benefit from complementary therapies such as massage or music therapy as well as relaxation techniques. The YRMC Palliative Medicine team connects patients with providers of therapeutic services that may be of benefit to them.

Understandably, patients who are faced with a serious illness have many questions that need to be answered. YRMC’s Palliative Medicine team can answer those questions as well as questions loved ones may have. They are also knowledgeable about available medications and treatments.

Having a patient’s wishes for their medical care properly documented in writing can be critical when patients reach a point when they can no longer participate in their own care. Below are resources on advance directives such as a living will, a health care proxy and durable power of attorney.

Arizona Attorney General Advance Directives
These forms are available from the Arizona Attorney General.

Arizona Advance Directive Registry Office
Operated by the Arizona Office of the Secretary of State, this registry offers a secure location to electronically store copies of advance directives to ensure availability 24/7.

Very often, as a patient nears the end of life, important decisions must be made about their care. YRMC’s Palliative Medicine team can provide patients and their families with the information they need to make these decisions which may include whether to withhold or withdraw treatment or whether or not to issue a do not resuscitate (DNR) order. The team can also address questions about nutrition and hydration requirements at the end of life and provide information about hospice services if and when the need arises.

Palliative Medicine is a specialized form of care that focuses on the whole person to help you feel as good as possible. It recognizes that people living with a serious illness will benefit from expert care to control pain, improve quality of life, and provide comfort, as well as spiritual and emotional support.

All patients facing a serious illness may seek Palliative Medicine if they believe it may benefit them, even if they are undergoing active treatment for their condition. Palliative Medicine addresses patients’ physical and emotional needs to keep them comfortable and able to enjoy the activities of daily life as fully as possible.

Any patient with a serious and/or chronic illness can benefit from Palliative Medicine. A few examples include patients with advanced cardiac or pulmonary disease, cancer, kidney failure or progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, dementia and multiple sclerosis.

There is a common misperception that Palliative Medicine is only intended for patients who have a terminal illness. However, patients undergoing active treatment for their conditions may also benefit from Palliative Medicine. Available to patients of all ages, Palliative Medicine focuses on caring for the body, mind and spirit to provide relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of their illness while working to improve the quality of life for the patient and their family.

Very often, a patient who may be able to benefit from Palliative Medicine will be referred by his or her physician. However, Palliative Medicine can also be provided at the request of a patient or their family. To speak to a member of YRMC’s Palliative Medicine team, call 928.775.5567.

YRMC’s Palliative Medicine team assesses the patient’s current condition, evaluates the medications they are taking, and then makes recommendations on the best course of action going forward. The patient’s pain and comfort levels are then continually monitored so that adjustments to pain medications can be made as needed.

In addition to the symptoms that are associated with their specific condition, people with serious or chronic illnesses may experience pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, insomnia, poor appetite and a general sense of malaise (not feeling well). YRMC’s Palliative Medicine team can help you address these symptoms.

Advance directives are important documents that indicate a patient’s wishes should they become incapacitated. Advance directives can be used to give a family member or other loved one the power to make decisions on the patient’s behalf. The preparation of advance directives such as a living will, medical power of attorney, mental health power of attorney or a combination of all three is an important part of healthcare planning.

Advance directive forms are available on the website of the Arizona Attorney General.

The Arizona Office of the Secretary of State operates the Arizona Advance Directive Registry which offers a secure location to electronically store a copy of your advance directive so it will be available where and when it is needed 24/7.