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For people living with serious illnesses, balancing daily concerns like symptom management, complex medication schedules and doctor appointments can be difficult. In addition to these challenges, they’re also thinking about the future of their illness and how to communicate their needs with loved ones and caregivers.

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses designed to improve their quality of life and help them with short-term and long-term concerns. Palliative care providers offer this support side-by-side while continuing treatment rather than replacing treatment.

For 26-year-old Madison Alderman, Sentara Palliative Care Services has been a beacon of support since her oncologist suggested the service. Palliative care is sometimes confused with hospice care and may be scary for patients who are not familiar with it. But Alderman wants others to know that palliative care isn’t scary. Instead, it’s helpful.

"It’s extra care, and an extra person on your team who wants to see you feel better,” Madison says. “And it’s not just for cancer patients. This is someone who will look out for you and do anything possible to help you.”

Learn more about how .

to determine whether you or a loved one would benefit from palliative care.