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Palliative Care: Focusing on Quality of Life with Skill and Compassion

As a licensed practical nurse, Sharon Verville was used to taking care of others. “I always tried to treat my patients as I would a member of my family,” said the Mattapoisett resident. “If you can make one person feel better, any amount of work is well worth it.”

Now, several diabetes-related health conditions are forcing Verville to let others care for her. Fortunately, those professionals include the same team of palliative care experts who recently treated her while she was a patient at St. Luke’s Hospital.

The Palliative Care program at St. Luke’s provides Verville and others with chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, the support needed to maintain the highest possible quality of life. Personalized care plans give patients access to a range of services — including physical therapy, nursing, social work and pastoral care — that addresses their specific needs. The emphasis is on relieving symptoms.

“There is an intense focus on the patient’s physical and emotional comfort and quality of life,” said Paula Shiner, RN, CHCE, Director of Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services.

Any nurse or physician can refer patients to the St. Luke’s Palliative Care program. Patients can receive the services while they’re at home or in the hospital, at no cost. Services are covered under inpatient and home care general reimbursement.

“I’m really glad I have Southcoast,” Verville said. “These people who work so hard to make it easier for me, they’ve become my friends. They always treat me as a whole person. That total care approach is so important.”