Supportive Services
Palliative Care
Palliative care is a specialty focused on improving the quality of life of individuals and families who are experiencing a serious life threatening illnesses or an illness which limits activities of daily living. The goal of palliative care is to relieve suffering through pain and symptom management, communication, and coordination of care. Palliative care incorporates the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of each individual and family and coordinates care which is specific to that patient and family.
Palliative care is beneficial for individuals who may be suffering from illness such as: cancer, cardiac diseases, congested heart failure, respiratory diseases (COPD, emphysema), Alzheimer's, AIDS/HIV, kidney failure, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Palliative care can be initiated at the beginning of a diagnosis or at any stage of the illness. It is not just for advanced stages of an illness.
Palliative care consultation is available at the Douglas County Hospital. Douglas County Hospital is listed on the National Palliative Care Registry. www.capc.org
• Palliative Care Brochure 
Hospice
Hospice care is intended for an individual who has a terminal diagnosis. Hospice care is focused on providing quality care for individuals and families in the last months of life who have made a decision to discontinue curative treatments. Care is designed to address pain and symptom management and support individuals and their families during this journey.
• www.hospicedouglascounty.org
• Hospice of Douglas County Brochure
Rehabilitation and Speech Therapy
Rehabilitation services are available on site and include the following:
Physical therapy involves mobilizing, strengthening, and reducing pain to promote an individual's highest level of physical functioning.
Occupational therapy involves treatments which assist individuals in developing skills to return to their previous level of functioning which assists them to maintain independence.
Speech Therapy is designed to assist the individual with speech, language, and swallowing difficulties which interfere with communication and eating abilities.
• Rehabilitation and Speech Therapy Website
Lymphedema Program
Lymphedema is a condition which there is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the tissues which causes swelling usually of the feet and legs. This swelling can be caused by obstructions due to infections, inflammatory conditions, or a blockage of vessels in the lymph system. For more information on the Lymphedema program at Douglas County Hospital:
• Lymphedema Program
Reach to Recovery Breast Cancer Support
Reach to Recovery volunteers are specially trained individuals who have survived breast cancer and are available to offer hope, support, and education from diagnosis throughout the entire period that breast cancer is a concern for the individual and their family. Ask your physician about arranging a Reach to Recovery Volunteer visit.
• Reach to Recovery Breast Cancer Support
Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better is a service program which is designed to teach beauty techniques to women with cancer to manage appearance related side effects from cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or other forms of treatment.
• www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org
• Look Good Feel Better brochure
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