Hospice, Palliative Care and End of Life Dignity | Laura Hoeksema, MD

Summary

In this video, Dr. Hooksman discusses the critical role of hospice and palliative care for patients facing serious illness. She clarifies common misconceptions, emphasizing that hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than giving up. The video highlights the difference between hospice and palliative care, with palliative care providing long-term support for chronic illnesses and hospice offering end-of-life care. Dr. Hooksman also stresses the importance of preparing for death, just as we prepare for birth, and the comfort that can be found in these types of care. Resources like getpalliativecare.org are provided for further information.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and quality of life when a patient's illness is no longer curable.
• 😀 Palliative care is for patients with serious illnesses and can be provided over an extended period, even for years.
• 😀 Hospice care is not about 'giving up' but shifting the focus to comfort and the patient's well-being.
• 😀 Symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and agitation can be indicators that inpatient hospice care may be needed.
• 😀 Cleveland Clinic offers inpatient hospice care at their main campus, in Akron at Justin T. Rogers, and in local nursing facilities.
• 😀 The goal of hospice and palliative care is to provide a comprehensive plan that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the patient and their family.
• 😀 Misconceptions about hospice care include the idea that it means giving up or that it is only for those in their final days.
• 😀 Palliative care is available for patients with any serious illness, not just those at the end of life.
• 😀 Resources like *getpalliativecare.org* provide an overview of both hospice and palliative care options, including frequently asked questions.
• 😀 Death, while sad, doesn't have to be a scary experience. Hospice care works to remove the fear around death by offering education and support.
• 😀 Dr. Nadia Tremante's philosophy: 'Death is sad but it doesn't have to be scary,' reflecting the importance of preparing for both birth and death in our lives.

Q & A

What is the main focus of hospice care?

The main focus of hospice care is to improve comfort and quality of life for patients with serious illnesses by managing symptoms and providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support.

How is inpatient hospice care different from home hospice care?

Inpatient hospice care is provided when a patient's symptoms are not well-controlled at home and require closer monitoring and management. This care is offered in facilities like the Cleveland Clinic's main campus, the Justin T. Rogers hospice facility in Akron, or local nursing homes.

What are some common symptoms managed in hospice care?

Common symptoms managed in hospice care include pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and restlessness or agitation.

What is the difference between hospice care and palliative care?

Palliative care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms of serious illness and can be given at any stage of the illness, often over many years. In contrast, hospice care is for patients who are in the final stages of life and focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments.

What is a common misconception about hospice care?

A common misconception is that hospice care means 'giving up' on the patient. In reality, hospice care shifts the focus from curative treatments to ensuring comfort and improving the quality of life in the patient's final days.

How can patients and families learn more about hospice and palliative care?

Patients and families can visit websites like getpalliativecare.org and clevelandclinic.org to learn more about hospice and palliative care options, including frequently asked questions and available services.

Why is it important to differentiate between hospice and palliative care?

Differentiating between hospice and palliative care is important because it helps ensure that patients receive the appropriate care at the right time. Palliative care can be ongoing and provided for years, whereas hospice care is for patients nearing the end of life.

What role does education play in hospice care?

Education in hospice care helps patients and families understand the process of dying, manage expectations, and alleviate fear. The goal is to take the fear out of death by providing guidance and support.

What is the philosophy of hospice and palliative care teams?

The philosophy of hospice and palliative care teams is to relieve suffering, improve quality of life, and help patients live well until the end of life. They recognize the privilege of being invited into a patient's life during challenging times.

How does the concept of preparing for death compare to preparing for birth?

The transcript suggests that just as we prepare for birth, we should also prepare for death. Both are natural parts of the life cycle, and the goal is to support patients through the entire continuum of life, helping them live well until the very end.