How to Know if Hospice is Right for You or Your Family EP 5

Making decisions about end-of-life care can be difficult, but it's important to have these discussions with your family. Robyn Cogburn, a geriatric nurse practitioner, discusses the differences between hospice and palliative care, and how to know if hospice is right for you or your family. Hospice vs. Palliative Care Hospice and palliative care are both options for end-of-life care, but they differ in their focus and goals. Hospice is a more formal option that is focused on relieving pain and suffering caused by a specific diagnosis. Palliative care is a broader term that can be used for any type of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. Deciding if Hospice is Right for You The decision of whether or not to choose hospice is a personal one that should be made by the patient and their family. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best decision will vary depending on the individual's circumstances. Discussion Questions If you are considering hospice care, it is important to talk to your doctor and family members to discuss your options. Here are some questions to consider: 1) What are the pros and cons of hospice care? 2) What are the pros and cons of palliative care? 3) How can you know if hospice is right for you or your family? It’s important to remember that everyone is experiencing trauma when a loved one is near the end of life. Family members and close friends can benefit from the care provided by hospice too.  They can better manage their stress and anxiety when there is an understanding of what’s happening and the knowledge that their loved one has made the decision about what’s best for them.  Additional Resources If you are looking for more information about hospice or palliative care, there are many resources available online and in your community. Here are a few suggestions: Hospice Foundation of America: https://hospicefoundation.org/ National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/ CaringInfo: https://www.caringinfo.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices