Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stresses of a complex illness—whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Palliative care is provided by a team: doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual care coordinators and other specialists who work together to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment. It is different from Hospice care in that it may start at diagnosis and patients may receive active treatment for their disease.