What is palliative care?
Generally, when cancer is no longer curable, we
say that treatment is then focused on "palliation"
of symptoms. The purpose of palliative care is
to relieve pain and suffering but also to help address the
difficult decisions related to the illness. This includes
evaluating quality of life (addressing the very real
practical and emotional challenges beyond medical
treatment) and making decisions that are focused on
living life as fully as possible. Palliative care can be given
at the same time as aggressive and curative treatments,
which may include: chemotherapy, radiation therapy,
and supportive care procedures. Palliative care addresses
physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs as
well as providing access to healthcare information and
choices. Recent research shows that patients enrolled in
a palliative care program actually have a longer survival
rate than patients who are not under this care.
Our Team
The Tri-Cities Cancer Center has a team of professionals
comprised of a physician, nurse navigator, chaplain and
financial counselor. We collaborate with medical providers
at all three local hospitals, Columbia Basin Hematology
& Oncology, other professionals and agencies. The patient
is at the center of this team and identifies their own goals
that are most important for the team to work towards.
Nurse Navigator
The navigator helps integrate a palliative care plan with
education, practical support and links to a broad range
of community and healthcare resources while ensuring
that the goals of patients are heard, supported and met.
Services include: routine proactive phone call check-
ins, education and symptom management, referrals
to community resources, dietary consultation, home
health referrals & home safety equipment and more.
Chaplains
Chaplains provide psychosocial/
spiritual assessment, individual
mentoring and can facilitate end of
life discussions. The "Five Wishes"
healthcare directive is also available
free of charge.
Financial Counselor
The financial counselor can help with
issues such as understanding health
insurance benefits, Department of
Social and Health Services and Social
Security benefits. She can also assess
for any immediate needs and connect
patients with community resources.
Referrals
We welcome referrals from any local
healthcare providers. Patients may also
self-refer to the program. Generally,
patients have Stage IV cancer. If
you would like more information
about the Tri-Cities Cancer Center
Palliative Care Program, please
call Karen DuBois, RN, BSN at
(509) 737-3412 or Rainy Larson, BCC
at (509) 737-3429.
Karen DuBois, RN, BSN - Nurse Navigator
Rainy Larson, BCC - Chaplain
Palliative Care
Clinical Corner
IMAGO ~ When cancer is treatable but not curable
Every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
You are invited to attend our palliative support group. This group will explore topics and personal questions around quality
of life issues that arise when cancer is no longer curable. These may include: Support Services, decision making, goal setting,
anxiety, and pain management and time to share stories and spiritual concerns.
Please call (509) 737-3427 to register.