What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical support for individuals living with serious illnesses, focusing on enhancing their quality of life. This collaborative, patient-centered approach addresses physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs while empowering patients and their families to make informed decisions about treatment options.

Our services cater to patients with a diagnosis that may benefit from palliative care, offering specialized support in managing complex symptoms.

Palliative Care Locations

Bristol Palliative Care is currently available in the following communities:

Palliative Care Focuses On

  • Managing pain or other symptoms of serious or long-term illness by coordinating with established care providers
  • Preventing unnecessary hospitalizations or re-hospitalizations
  • Providing support and medication management education to family or caregivers
  • Advising patients and family on advance directive decisions
  • Simplifying discharge from the hospital

Palliative Eligibility

Palliative care is designed for individuals living with a serious illness who need additional support in managing symptoms and improving their quality of life. You or your loved one may be eligible for palliative care if you have:

  • A diagnosis of a chronic, progressive, or life-limiting illness, such as cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, or neurological disorders.
  • Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits due to disease-related complications.
  • Difficult-to-manage symptoms, including pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, or anxiety.
  • A need for support in making medical decisions and coordinating care with other healthcare providers.
  • A desire to focus on comfort and quality of life while continuing curative treatments if desired.

Bristol Palliative Care provides individualized care plans tailored to each patient’s needs, ensuring they receive expert symptom management and compassionate support in the comfort of their home.

Find a Palliative Location

Our Three-Part Care Journey

First Visit

The initial visit serves to assess the patient’s eligibility for the program and review their Advanced Care Planning and Directives. This crucial first step includes a comprehensive evaluation using the Bristol Palliative Screening Tool to ensure a thorough and personalized assessment.

Interim Visits

Following the initial visit, patients enrolled in the Bristol Palliative Program receive as many follow-up visits as needed. These visits focus on managing symptoms effectively and establishing care goals that align with each patient’s unique preferences
and needs.

Transition Visit

This final transitional visit signifies the transition phase, where patients are seamlessly guided to the appropriate level of care that best aligns with their established goals and personal preferences.

Contact Us

From Hospital to Home

When a patient is admitted, Bristol Palliative Care provides seamless support to help them remain comfortably at home.

Working closely with the patient, our team develops a personalized care plan to manage acute or chronic symptoms, ensuring their needs are met in the comfort of their own home and reducing the need for hospital visits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Palliative Care

When your physician suggests Palliative Care, our Palliative Care Coordinator will work with you to arrange your first consultation appointment.

Yes, Bristol Palliative Care is complementary to the other care providers you see and will work with these providers to assess and determine the best care plan for you.

Yes, Bristol Palliative Care will work alongside your current medical treatments to provide symptom management and support as needed.

Many insurance providers do offer a palliative care benefit. Our trained professionals can assist you in determining what is covered by your insurance provider.

Benefits of Earlier Admission

When considering palliative care, we would like to highlight the benefits of starting palliative care from the first moment you are eligible.

Contact Us

Palliative Care Can Be Confusing
How Can We Help?

Bristol Hospice is committed to providing the care and support your loved one needs, helping you and your family every step of the way.

Contact Us

Find a Bristol Hospice Near You

Filter by service to narrow communities by available services.

    Bristol Hospice Cares — Explore Our Blogs

    Can I Be a Hospice Volunteer?

    Published on July 12, 2026 in the Resource Category

    Hospice volunteer helping an elderly man paint at home, showing companionship and support in hospice volunteering

    Many people feel called to volunteer in hospice but wonder if they have the right experience, words, schedule, or emotional readiness. Bristol Hospice explains what to know before becoming a hospice volunteer and why small moments can make a meaningful difference.

    Continue Reading

    What Hospice May Provide at Home

    Published on July 9, 2026 in the Resource Category

    Hospice nurse speaking with a loved one at home, representing hospice services, supplies, equipment, and support that may be provided at home

    Hospice care at home may include team visits, medications, equipment, supplies, and caregiver support related to the hospice diagnosis and plan of care. Bristol Hospice explains what loved ones may expect and why every care plan is different.

    Continue Reading

    Explore Our Blogs

    Obtaining Hospice Care Should Be Easy

    If you have questions about how hospice can be completely paid for, delivered conveniently in-home, and can help provide your family with added peace of mind, please get in touch with us for a complementary consultation today. Our caring and knowledgeable team is here to help.

    Let Us Know How We Can Help