Palliative Care
Palliative Care is all about you.
Our dedicated palliative care team is here to support you and your family as you make medical decisions for serious, ongoing conditions. Our purpose is to help you live the highest quality of life while considering your healthcare decisions and goals.
Inpatient Palliative Care
Inpatient Palliative Care works with patients who have been admitted to Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Once a referral is received, our team will meet with you and your loved ones to talk about your intentions and wishes. current condition. We’ll support you as you develop a plan of care that is consistent with your goals and values.
Our palliative care team will work with your healthcare providers to ensure the care you receive while in the hospital aligns with your goals. We will make sure any symptoms caused by your condition or the treatment for it are well managed to improve your quality of life. By closely following the plan of care that you created, our hope is to minimize the amount of time spent in the hospital.
Ambulatory Palliative Care
Ambulatory or outpatient palliative care visits take place outside the hospital where you live, such as in a long-term care facility, assisted living facility, or at home. In Central Iowa, our Care at Home clinic provides ambulatory palliative care services and requires a referral. Similar to inpatient care, ambulatory palliative care helps manage your symptoms, enables you to make important decisions about your healthcare goals and supports you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
A referral is required to receive palliative care services. If you are interested in palliative care for yourself or loved one, talk with your current provider or call (515) 241-5750 for further assistance.
For more information about outpatient palliative care services, please call (515) 241-3510.
In Des Moines, palliative care services are provided in the hospital or where you currently live, depending on your need. We will move with you wherever you reside helping communicate your goals and plan of care.
Our palliative care team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and chaplains with expertise in palliative care. The team collaborates with physical and occupational therapists, dieticians and care managers to coordinate care.
The palliative care team is available to discuss planning for your future healthcare needs and documentation of your healthcare wishes. We can help with the process of completing a Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions (DPOA) and other advance directives, if desired.
