Supportive Care and Palliative Program

Supportive Care and Palliative Program

Asian palliative care patient cuddles with her dog.

The Atlantic Health System supportive care and palliative care program is administered by our specialized medical team certified in palliative medicine. Our multi-disciplinary support team consists of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, chaplains and others.

We take the time needed to get to know our patients so that we can most effectively treat all of the symptoms and stressors of illness and its impact on their quality of life and the lives of their loved ones. 

Our approach is comprehensive. We deal with physical symptoms such as pain, nausea, and difficulty breathing, and we also tackle the challenging social, personal, and spiritual issues that frequently arise during serious illness. These concerns may include anxiety, depression, and worry about the future.

The Purpose of Supportive Care

Our program is focused on seeing you as a person, not just a patient. We also understand that you are part of a community of loved ones and therefore it is important that we support them as well. Making sure you receive the expert support and resources needed when living with a serious illness is our job. In supportive care, our goal is to improve the quality of your life, but what we really mean is that we are working to help get you back to doing the things that bring meaning and joy to you.


What a blessing your team was…you came into my life just when I needed it most.

Palliative Care Patient

Who Benefits from Supportive Care

Supportive care is for anyone who is living with a serious illness or condition. It doesn’t matter what age you are or whether you may have just received your diagnosis or have had your illness for a long time. Regardless, it is important for us to know what matters to you and how we can help you manage your symptoms in a way that aligns with your values and goals for care. 

We provide the following services:

  • Expert pain and symptom management
  • Social, psychological, and spiritual support
  • Summarizing complicated medical information for you and your loved ones
  • Helping you and your loved ones identify your goals for care and preferences for treatment based on what matters to you and manage the illness
  • Coordination and advocacy with the entire medical team about your care plan 

We see the person beyond the illness...we see you.

Supportive Care and Palliative Program team member

Locations

Chilton Medical Center

Hackettstown Medical Center

Morristown Medical Center

Newton Medical Center

Overlook Medical Center

Home Care

Atlantic Home Care provides palliative care and comfort measures for patients who have an advanced illness, but are not ready for hospice.