Palliative care is an area of health care that focuses on relieving and preventing suffering of patients.  It involves a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, relying on input from physicians, pharmacists, nurses, chaplains and social workers in formulating a plan of care to relieve suffering in all areas of a patient’s life.

Although the concept of palliative care is not new, most physicians have traditionally concentrated on trying to cure patients. Treatments for the alleviation of symptoms were viewed as hazardous and seen as inviting addiction and other unwanted side effects.  The focus on quality of life has increased greatly during the past 20 years.  In the US 55% of hospitals with more than 100 beds offer a palliative care program, and 1/5th of community hospitals have palliative care services.

Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care

Despite its history, hospice care as it is now known didn’t develop until the late 1900’s. Hospice provides medical services, emotional support and resources for patients in the last stages of terminal illness and their families or loved ones. The goals of hospice are to provide comfort and maximize quality of life while you are dying.  Hospice is the only Medicare benefit that includes pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, twenty-four hour/seven day a week access to care and support for loved ones following a death

Although a majority of patients believe end-of life preparation is important, less than 25% have actually made plans.  It is important to talk with your family about treatment goals, make sure that they know what you want and don’t want. This talk shouldn’t happen when you are sick but rather when you are health and years before you ever think it is even necessary

Palliative care is distinctly different from hospice care.  It is geared to alleviating suffering during treatment.  For instance for cancer patients, it involves dealing with the physical side-effects of chemotherapy as well as the psychological impact of having cancer.  Talk with your physician about the resources available in your community and healthcare system.

To learn more about hospice care services talk to your doctor or hospital.   Many communities have local hospice services that can help organize care, and your insurance company can also help direct you towards service. Reputable organizations that can provide more information include:

·         American Hospice foundations

·         Caring Connection

·         Hospice Association of America

·         National Hospice and Palliative Care organization.