When people have a serious illness or a long-term health condition, getting a type of healthcare called palliative care can help improve their daily lives. These types of conditions might not be curable. Or, they may make it difficult for people to live comfortably or take care of daily tasks while they’re having treatment for the condition.
“Palliative” means care that relieves pain and other symptoms without treating the condition that causes them. The main goal of palliative care is to help relieve uncomfortable symptoms you experience because of your illness. It also aims to relieve stress you feel because of your condition. You can get palliative care at any stage of your illness or while living with any serious health condition. MSNBC anchor Richard Lui on caregiving for dad with Alzheimer's: MSNBC's Richard Lui stepped back from his TV job to be a caregiver for his father with Alzheimer's disease. The experience inspired his book, "Enough About Me."
