Episode 7.1: What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a model of care that many people may not be familiar with, but most do understand what the model of Hospice care looks like. Dr. Lynne Kennedy is a Board Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN) and the Clinical Director of Palliative Care for the Inova Health System. When faced with a serious or chronic illness such as cancer, heart or lung disease, or Alzheimer’s, palliative care is focused on managing symptoms such as pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and/or depression so that you have the strength and energy needed to carry out your daily activities.