From Kiplinger · · 1m 30s
Choosing Hospice Isn't Giving Up
Hospice care focuses on quality of life, not giving up.
In brief
Hospice care focuses on quality of life, not giving up. Choosing hospice care means focusing on meaningful life experiences rather than medical treatments when time is limited. Originally reported by Kiplinger.
Hospice Myths
Choosing hospice isn't giving up. It's about focusing on what matters most.
“Choosing hospice or palliative care isn't about giving up. Often, it's about focusing on what matters most.”
Common Misconceptions
Many Americans believe only two choices exist at the end of life: fight for treatments or surrender.
“Too many Americans believe there are only two choices at the end of life. You either go to battle by taking on every available treatment, or you surrender.”
Three Mindsets
People facing end of life often fall into three mindsets: shutting down, fighting relentlessly, or finding balance.
“Over the years, I've noticed that people facing the end of life often fall into one of three mindsets.”
Shutting Down
Some withdraw from the world, becoming disconnected from people and life.
“Some simply shut down. They withdraw from the world, becoming disconnected from the people and life around them.”
Fighting Relentlessly
Others fight for every procedure, hospitalization, or intervention to postpone death.
“Others fight relentlessly. Every new procedure, every hospitalization, every intervention becomes another struggle to postpone what they know is coming.”
Finding Balance
Those who find balance say they've had a good life and want to spend time being themselves.
“I've had a good life. I don't want to die, but I know death is part of life. I want to spend whatever time I have left being myself.”
Hospice Myths Clarified
Doctors don't stop caring; palliative care focuses on relieving suffering, not curing disease.
“One of the biggest myths is that doctors stop caring. The opposite is true. Curative care focuses on defeating disease. Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering.”
Hospice Goals
Hospice shifts focus from extending life to making every remaining day meaningful and comfortable.
“For people nearing the end of life, hospice shifts the goal from extending every possible day to making every remaining day as meaningful and comfortable as possible.”
The Better Question
The question isn't whether medicine can do something, but whether it should.
“The question isn't whether medicine can do something, because modern medicine almost always can. The better question is whether it should.”
Family Conversations
Hard conversations happen around kitchen tables, not doctor's offices.
“The hardest conversations rarely happen between doctors and patients. They happen around kitchen tables. Adult children want one more treatment because they're afraid of losing mom.”
Early Conversations
Seniors should tell families what quality of life means to them and put wishes in writing.
“Seniors, you should tell your family what quality of life means to you. Put your wishes in writing. Explain where you draw the line between living longer and living well.”
Hospice Benefits
Hospice provides expert pain management, emotional support, and bereavement resources months before death.
“Far too many people arrive there only in the last days of life. By waiting so long, they miss many of the services that make hospice so valuable, such as expert pain management, emotional support, spiritual care if desired, social workers who help families navigate difficult decisions, and bereavement resources that continue after a loved one dies.”
The one thing
Choosing hospice care means focusing on meaningful life experiences rather than medical treatments when time is limited.
