Local and National Palliative Care Resources and Groups

The UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute has compiled a list of helpful resources both local and national that support patients, families, and professionals dealing with serious illnesses.

The groups listed here offer help with practical and financial matters, spiritual and religious concerns, psychological and ethical questions, adjunctive care, and more.

Palliative Care Resources in Western Pennsylvania

• Closure — Information for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals to help make end-of-life care decisions.
• Consortium Ethics Program at the University of Pittsburgh — Health care ethics network in western Pennsylvania for health care professionals.
• UPMC Hillman Cancer Center — Cancer care information for patients and families.
• Jewish Healthcare Foundation — Programs and training focused on Perfecting Patient Care^SM for patients, health care professionals, and health organizations.
• The Last Chapter — A WQED-Pittsburgh documentary about illness and end-of-life planning.
• Living Will Information from the Allegheny County Bar Association — A step-by-step guide to Pennsylvania's living will and health care power of attorney forms.
• RAVEN — Information about reducing avoidable hospitalizations and improving outcomes for nursing facility residents.
• University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) — Cancer-related information, including patient education, research, and physicians who specialize in cancer care at UPCI and UPMC.

National Palliative Care Resources

• All Things Palliative — Daily reviews of palliative care research, events, and other news, and a forum dedicated to the free exchange of information for palliative medicine health care professionals.
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine — Organization for physicians dedicated to the advancement of hospice and palliative medicine.
• Caregiver Action Network — Free education, peer support, and resources for family caregivers across the country free.
• Caregiver Champions — Program designed to give caregivers greater balance to their lives.
• The Conversation Project — Dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care.
• ElderWeb — Links to information about health, financing, housing, aging, and other related issues for caregivers, family members, health care providers, and professional advisors.
• End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium — A national initiative dedicated to educating nurses in excellent palliative care.
• EPERC (End of Life/Palliative Education Resource Center) — Scholarly community dedicated to advancing end-of-life care.
• Family Caregiver Alliance — Programs, services, and advocacy for caregivers.
• Get Palliative Care — An introduction to palliative care for patients and caregivers.
• Growth House — Educational materials about end-of-life care, palliative medicine, and hospice care, as well as access to the best sites for life-threatening illnesses and bereavement.
• Hospice Foundation of America — End-of-life care resources and information for patients, families, and health care professionals.
• Mesothelioma Support Group — National organization dedicated to increasing the awareness of Mesothelioma.
• National Association for Home Care and Hospice — Advocacy organization for the nation's home care and hospice organizations.
• National Cancer Institute — Accurate, credible cancer information.
• OncoTalk — Information for physicians and caregivers on improving communication about cancer.
• Today's Caregiver — Information, support, and guidance to help family and professional caregivers cope with the demands of caregiving.