If you or a loved one has a terminal illness and you've exhausted all treatment options, you might consider our Terminally Ill care Services. Find out how our care service works and how it can provide comfort and support to you or your loved one, as well as to your family and friends.

Terminal illness is an incurable disease that cannot be adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient or nearing the end of life. Care services are provided by a team of health care professionals who maximize comfort for a person who is terminally ill by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. To help families, Care Services also provides counseling, respite care and practical support. Unlike other medical care, the focus of Care isn't to cure the underlying disease. The goal of care is to support the highest quality of life possible for whatever time remains

Terminally Ill Care Services (TICS) is for a terminally ill person who's expected to have six months or less to live. This doesn't mean that TICS will be provided only for six months, however. TICS can be provided for as long as the person's doctor and TICS team certify that the condition remains life-limiting. TICS isn't just for people who have cancer. Many people who receive TICS have cancer, while others have heart disease, dementia, kidney failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Availing TICS early helps patients live better and live longer. TICS decreases the burden on the family, decreases the family's likelihood of having a complicated bereavement and prepares family members for their loved one's death. In addition, there is a unique benefit of TICS that allows a patient to be cared for at a facility for a period of time, not because the patient needs it, but because the family caregiver needs a rest in order to continue to care for his or her loved one. This is known as respite care.

Most Terminally Ill Care Services is provided at home — with a family member typically serving as the primary caregiver. Keep in mind that no matter where TICS is provided, sometimes it's necessary to be admitted to a hospital. For instance, if a symptom can't be adequately managed by the TICS team in a home setting, a hospital stay might be needed.

If you're not receiving Terminally Ill Care Services at a dedicated facility, members of the TICS staff will make regular visits to your home or other setting to provide care and other services.

A Terminally Ill Care Services team typically includes:

Doctors. A primary care doctor will oversee your or your loved one's care. Each patient gets to decide who his or her primary doctor will be while receiving Terminally Ill Care Services. This can be your prior doctor or can be one of the TICS doctors.
Nurses. Nurses will come to your or your loved one's home to provide care. Nurses are also responsible for coordination of the care team.
Home health aides. Home health aides can provide extra support for routine care, such as dressing, bathing and eating wherever necessary.
Spiritual counselors. Chaplains, Priests, Lay ministers, Pujaries, Swamies, Imams or other spiritual counselors can provide spiritual care and guidance for the entire family.
Pharmacists. Pharmacists provide medication oversight and suggestions regarding the most effective ways to relieve symptoms.
Other professionals. Speech, physical and occupational therapists can provide therapy, if needed.