What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a specialized area of medicine focused on improving quality of life for people living with serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses. Unlike what many people assume, palliative care is not limited to end-of-life situations. It can — and should — begin at the time of diagnosis and continue alongside curative treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, or rehabilitation.
The goal is simple: relieve suffering, manage symptoms, and help patients and their families navigate difficult medical decisions with clarity and compassion. At Pinnacle Health in Sun City, Dr. Annie Khurana brings fellowship training in both geriatric medicine and palliative care to every patient relationship.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice: They're Not the Same
One of the biggest misconceptions about palliative care is that it's the same as hospice. It isn't.
- Palliative care can begin at any point during a serious illness — even while you're still receiving active treatment. There is no requirement to stop pursuing a cure.
- Hospice care is a specific form of palliative care reserved for patients who are no longer pursuing curative treatment and have a life expectancy of six months or less.
Think of it this way: all hospice is palliative care, but not all palliative care is hospice. You can receive palliative support for years while continuing treatment for your condition.
Symptoms and Needs Palliative Care Addresses
Palliative care teams work with your existing doctors to manage the symptoms that affect your daily life. Common issues include:
- Pain — chronic, acute, or treatment-related
- Shortness of breath — from COPD, heart failure, or other conditions
- Fatigue — persistent exhaustion that limits daily activities
- Nausea — often a side effect of medications or treatments
- Anxiety and depression — emotional responses to living with serious illness
- Caregiver stress — supporting families who provide day-to-day care
By addressing these symptoms proactively, palliative care can help patients stay more comfortable, more functional, and more engaged in the things that matter to them.
How Palliative Care Supports Families
Serious illness doesn't just affect the patient — it affects everyone around them. Palliative care recognizes this by offering support to the whole family unit:
- Communication: Helping families understand diagnoses, treatment options, and what to expect
- Decision-making: Guiding conversations about goals of care, advance directives, and treatment preferences
- Emotional support: Providing a space for caregivers to express concerns, ask questions, and process their own stress
- Coordination: Working with specialists, home health aides, and community resources to create a cohesive care plan
At Pinnacle Health, we believe that caring for the family is an inseparable part of caring for the patient. Dr. Khurana takes time to sit with families, explain options clearly, and ensure no one feels rushed or unheard.
When Should You Talk to Your Doctor About Palliative Care?
You don't need to wait for a crisis. Consider asking about palliative care if you or a loved one:
- Has been diagnosed with a serious or progressive illness (cancer, heart failure, COPD, dementia, Parkinson's disease)
- Is experiencing symptoms that aren't well controlled by current treatment
- Feels overwhelmed by medical decisions or conflicting advice from multiple specialists
- Wants to better understand what to expect as a condition progresses
- Needs help completing advance care planning documents
Early involvement of palliative care has been shown in research to improve symptom control, reduce hospitalizations, and even extend survival in some cases.
Dr. Khurana's Fellowship Training in Palliative Care and Geriatrics
Dr. Annie Khurana is one of a small number of physicians in the West Valley who is fellowship-trained in both geriatric medicine and palliative care. This dual expertise means she understands not only the clinical complexities of aging — polypharmacy, cognitive decline, mobility challenges — but also the delicate art of symptom management, goals-of-care conversations, and family-centered decision-making.
Whether you're managing a new diagnosis, navigating treatment side effects, or simply want a doctor who approaches your care with empathy and expertise, Dr. Khurana and the Pinnacle Health team are here for you. We accept Medicare and welcome new patients from Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Surprise, and Glendale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is palliative care only for cancer patients?
No. Palliative care benefits anyone with a serious illness, including heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, dementia, ALS, and Parkinson's disease, among others.
Will my insurance cover palliative care?
Yes, in most cases. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover palliative care services. At Pinnacle Health, we accept Medicare and can help you understand your coverage.
Can I receive palliative care and still pursue treatment?
Absolutely. Palliative care works alongside your existing treatments — it does not replace them. You can continue chemotherapy, surgery, or any other interventions while receiving palliative support.
How is palliative care delivered?
Palliative care can be provided in a clinic, hospital, or at home depending on your needs. At Pinnacle Health, Dr. Khurana integrates palliative principles into your regular primary care visits so you receive seamless, coordinated support.
Ready to Learn More?
If you or a loved one could benefit from palliative care — or if you simply want to understand your options — we're here to help. Contact Pinnacle Health to schedule a conversation with Dr. Khurana.
Call (623) 295-2952 or visit our contact page to request an appointment.