Palliative and Hospice Care
Let’s be honest – the words palliative and hospice are not easy words to hear. Hearing the words palliative care and hospice care often bring up a lot of feelings – fear, anger, sadness, and anxiety. Yet, if you can remain open to learning about these options, you will be more prepared in the future.
Palliative care
Palliative care is care that is not directed at treating the disease itself. The goal of palliative care is to make a patient more comfortable, manage side effects, and improve mental wellness. The focus is on the patient’s goals for care, their values and what’s important to them. Palliative care occurs at the same time as tumor-directed therapy, and can include:
- Symptom relief, including management of treatment side effects
- Supportive psychotherapy and counseling
- Advice on speaking to family and friends
- Nutritional guidance
- Physical, occupational and cognitive therapy
- Connection with support and community groups
- Spiritual support
- Financial and legal support to connect you with available resources
Not every patient needs (or wants) all of the above palliative therapies. A palliative care team may include doctors, nurses, physical therapists, social workers, nutritionists and other types of healthcare providers. Care can be received at home, in an outpatient clinic or at a hospital.
Hospice care
Hospice care can be started when treatment is no longer desired or effective and life expectancy is less than 6 months. The goal of hospice is to help reduce symptoms and provide comfort as a person transitions to their final days. Hospice care varies state by state. It’s best to check with hospice services in your areas to learn what type of care they provide.
Important note: If new treatment options become available, you can leave hospice and go into active cancer treatment any time that you want if you and your medical team feel that additional cancer treatment is appropriate.