The World Health Organization defines palliative as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual…It offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death.”

It does not focus solely on relieving pain of a terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at and through the end of life.

Palliative care is an important part of care treatments to slow, stop, or cure disease. You may start palliative care after diagnosis and continue treatment and recovery.

Palliative care includes; medication, nutritional changes, and relaxation techniques. You may start with your doctor, but grow to include a team with a:

 Social worker, to help with transportation or adjusting to the diagnosis,

 Counselor or psychologist, to help with emotional or mental health needs,

 Spiritual advisor to answer questions about life, fears, and illness,

 Nutrition or physical therapist to help with symptoms.

The shared objective of the team is to improve your health and ability to have an active life. 

Medicare Part B and/or Part A may cover certain services that improve your comfort if your doctor orders them as medically necessary. While that may apply to a physical therapist, it may not apply to a social worker or nutritionist. Advantage plans have more flexibility to include non-Medicare approved service, but it will depend on the plan.