By Dr. David B. Stein
Medical Director, Kirva Hospice
Does entering hospice mean you are giving up control of your care?
Hospice care is intended to increase the quality of life for terminally ill patients, so it cannot be forced on anyone. This form of care is administered by a team of professionals ( interdisciplinary team) specially trained to provide care and support to meet the patient’s medical, physical, emotional and spiritual needs, so the treatment varies patient to patient, on a case-by-case basis. Hospice continues medications that manage and control the symptoms and pain of the diagnosis. The patient always has the right to request or refuse hospice services.
Are Hospice Care and Palliative Care the same thing?
The term “hospice care” and “palliative Care” are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Hospice is only one type of palliative care that can be utilized during the last six months of life. Traditionally palliative care can be utilized during the course of a debilitating disease or serious illness and ideally should begin at the time of diagnosis.