What is hospice?

92. What is hospice?

Accepting hospice care will not hasten your
loved one’s death.His or her symptoms will be better
managed, so that you can spend more quality time
with him or her and enjoy the time you do have left as
much as possible.

When discussing end-of-life decisions, medical professionals
may use the word “hospice” and sometimes
assume that you know what this means. Hospice is a
type of care focusing on improving or maintaining
quality of life, as opposed to extending life, when a
person is no longer seeking treatment to cure his or her
cancer. Hospice can be provided either at home or at
an inpatient facility. Hospice focuses on symptom
management, and this means alleviating the pain, nausea,
and general distress that is common for people
during the dying process. Hospices are often staffed by
nurses, doctors (who can adjust pain medication),
social workers, psychiatrists, chaplains, and other support
staff. You may read more about hospice from the
resource list in the back of this book. The American
Cancer Society has very helpful information on its Web
site, as does the National Hospice and Palliative Care
Organization (NHPCO). If you believe the time is
right, you may ask your doctor about hospice care if he
or she does not initiate this discussion with you.

If hospice care is appropriate, and you and your loved
one choose this type of care, hospice services will provide
support to both patient and caregivers. We have
had a few patients or caregivers state they were afraid
of hospice care, thinking that it meant they had given
up all hope. Do not think of hospice in this way.

Accepting hospice care will not hasten your loved one’s
death. His or her symptoms will be better managed, so
that you can spend more quality time with him or her
and enjoy the time you do have left as much as possible.

We have seen many patients choose hospice care,
which relieved their symptoms so well that they were
able to continue with daily activities, such as going out
and socializing, which they otherwise probably would
not have been able to do. Also, a person does not have
to be in the final stages of dying in order to be eligible
for hospice, particularly home hospice. In fact, the earlier
a patient receives these services, the more likely the
patient and the family will benefit. Furthermore, the
patient may be able to receive palliative treatments
(such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy) and still
be eligible for hospice. Ask your social worker or doctor
to investigate this option.