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Palliative care ideally begins at the time of diagnosis of a life-threatening or debilitating condition and continues throughout the person's life. Some children and young adults survive their illness and no longer need palliative care services. However, if necessary, palliative care continues for a family even through bereavement.
Although palliative care may be an appropriate part of treatment of any complex or serious illness or injury, it is vital in the care of life-threatening and/or incurable, progressive conditions. Palliative care is also integral to all health care delivery system settings (hospital, emergency department, home care, outpatient and non-traditional environments such as schools).
The interdisciplinary team collaborates with all caregivers in each of these settings, in order to ensure coordination, communication, and continuity of palliative care across institutional and home care settings.
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