Hospice Care Keeps Patients in Control

An essential difference in care

...one of the greatest fears of any dying patient is loss of control. A patient must be allowed to make as many decisions as practicable concerning every aspect of his or her living. The patient must be given as much information as possible, and medical and legal jargon should be translated into layperson’s language so the patient can better understand what he or she is being told. Information can be as important a palliative for the dying patient as analgesics. Information is part of a good death.

This quote, from a FirstThings.com article by Michael Gemignani, is a beautiful example of why hospice care is the very best choice for dignified and comfortable end-of-life care. Unlike traditional hospital medicine, which often leaves patients baffled as to what treatments are being administered, not to mention why, hospice care practitioners strive to be on the same page as their patients. Openly and honestly sharing information regarding prognosis and care with patients and their families gives them the ability to choose how they would like to be treated, and in turn allows them to have a better death.

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