Health Topics

Find information on many health topics, listed A to Z.

Palliative Care

Palliative care offers pain and symptom management and emotional and spiritual support when you face a chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness.

Classes & Events

Journey Through Grief

Support Groups

Mankato, MN
12/18/2019
10 a.m.-noon

Journey Through Grief

Support Groups

Fairmont, MN
12/19/2019
10 a.m.-12 p.m.

From The Blog

Palliative, hospice care ease transition for terminally ill man

Jim Moessner was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He managed it well, and lived a normal life for decades. But then everything changed.

October 18, 2018

Is a do-not-resuscitate tattoo a valid advance directive?

With the growing popularity of tattoos, you may wonder if a tattoo is the best way to express health care wishes.

James Deming, M.D. By James Deming April 16, 2018

Art to heal the human heart

Time can be hard to measure. We often measure our lives in the tasks and accomplishments of everyday life — a pace of business, providing us with momentum and a feeling of control. In between the noise of the day, quiet moments remind us of those we love and what we have lost.

September 28, 2016

Talk turkey: Holidays a time to talk plainly about end-of-life care wishes

Let’s talk turkey. And, no, I don’t mean gobbling like that festive holiday bird. I mean use the holidays, when family members are gathered, to go beyond the “How ’bout them Packers?” discussion. Use that precious time to speak honestly and openly about your end-of-life wishes.

November 12, 2015

Running life's marathon

Dave Eitrheim, M.D., a longtime family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar in Menomonie, has cherished the relationships he’s established with patients through the years — from being the first to see and hold patients’ newborns to comforting families after a loved one’s death.

December 23, 2014

Hospice Care and Mayo Clinic Health System

Dianne Rhein from Eau Claire, Wis. shared her thoughts about hospice care as she journeyed with cancer.

September 21, 2012

The Art of Personal Caring

Serious illness is very personal, so the first thing that a palliative care team does is take time to get to know you as a person.

September 7, 2012

Palliative Care: Article Series

This three-part series explores palliative care. Learn the difference between palliative care and hospice, and how this innovative approach addresses the complex physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs that may accompany your illness and treatment.

September 7, 2012

Living with a Serious Illness

Living with a serious illness is a far more personal than medical experience. Cory Ingram MD explains how palliative care teams help patients through that personal experience.

September 7, 2012

Nothing More Can Be Done?

Palliative care means that there is never a time when "there is nothing more that can be done." Cory Ingram MD explains why.

September 7, 2012