Palliative care is both a philosophy of care and a highly structured system of care. The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. It includes the physical aspects of patient care and emotional, social and spiritual aspects of care of the patient and family. The Kootenai Health Palliative Care Team has provided inpatient palliative care for adult patients and their families for many years.

Palliative Care consultations must be requested by a treating physician and are available throughout the hospital. These consultations are designed to help with pain and symptom management, to assist patients and families in making treatment decisions consistent with their goals and values, and to provide information about community services and discharge plans.

Learn more about our Palliative Care program by calling (208) 625-4798, or your can email PalliativeCare-All@kh.org.

End of Life Choices

At the end of life, care may be given at home, in a hospital, nursing home or a hospice program. At Kootenai, our goal is to help educate family members about end of life issues and help terminally ill patients remain comfortable during their last days.

Defining Medical Treatment Decisions

If you become unable to communicate your medical care choices, it’s best to have an advance directive in place. This directive includes a living will and durable power of attorney. These allow you to keep control over your medical treatment decisions at the end of life.

Download the forms below:

• Living Will Durable Power of Attorney