Hospice Expert
April Smith is the marketing director for South Wind Hospice, which serves 17 counties...read more
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- Hospice: Getting Back Control of Your Life
Hospice
Hospice: Getting Back Control of Your Life
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Hospice is a wonderful service that gives control back to patients and their families. When people find out that they have an incurable illness, they often feel powerless in light of the situation and think they can’t control the outcome of their lives. Hospice gives that control back to patients by allowing them to refuse or modify the treatment depending on their pain level. If the current level of medication is not working, they can request more to help the pain. One myth is that a patient will become addicted to the medication or narcotic. However, this is not accurate. The hospicenet.org Web site states, “A narcotic addiction is defined as dependence on the regular use of narcotics to satisfy physical, emotional, and psychological needs rather than for medical reasons.” Someone in pain has a medical reason to take narcotics and is not considered an addict. In his article entitled “Pain Control: Dispelling the Myths,” Dr. Joel Potash asserts that hospice patients “usually don’t have drug-seeking behavior. When their pain is in good control, they don’t desire more opiates.”
Since there is little chance of addiction, patients can work with their hospice nurse to determine the best means for proper pain relief. Because the control is in the patients’ hands, they can request the care required to ease their pain and suffering. Pain is one of the most common fears when someone finds out that he or she is dying, but it doesn’t have to be. In most cases pain can be easily managed with medications so the patients can live without pain and suffering. Hospice gives patients the opportunity to control their pain, as well as their overall care by allowing them the final say.
Spreading the word—
April Smith
Posted in Caregiving, Elder Care, Hospice, Hospice: April Smith
When I grew up you didnt take a pill every time you had an ache and pain and you definitely didn’t ask for help if yuo needed it. But when your dying its a different story. My uncle’s in that situation right now. Does insurance cover the hospice treatment and does he have to change his doctor? I’m alwso wondering just how much medication he might get. I want him to not be in pain but I want to make sure hes still here with us mentally.
Dear PokerJoe,
Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurance Companies cover hospice care; however, personal coverage can vary. I would check with his insurance company to find out the details. If your uncle would like to continue seeing his doctor, he should be able to do so. If this is something you are considering, you should discuss this with his doctor so he or she is aware of your concerns.
Hospice nurses specialize in pain management and should have no problem easing his pain. They will access the situation and adjust his medication accordingly. Hospice wants to help people live life to the fullest. The goal is to stop the pain while maintaining mental function of the patient. To get more information about hospice, visit http://www.caringinfo.org. Also, I recommend finding out about the hospices in your area. They will be able to answer questions and address concerns regarding your uncle’s care. I wish you the best of luck and may your uncle find peace and comfort.
April Smith
~Spreading the Word