Last update: 10/06/2009

TOPICS
Palliative and Hospice Care | Resources

Also see Pain Management

The goal of palliative care is to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families when the patients disease is not responsive to curative treatment. 

The goals include control of pain and of other symptoms, and to find solutions to psychological, social and spiritual problems. 

Palliative care might also apply to patients and families earlier in the course of the illness. 

Palliative care affirms life and the  process of dying. It neither hastens nor postpones death. It provides relief from pain, and integrates psychological and spiritual aspects of care. It provides for living as active and full a life as possible. Finally, it offers support to the family during the illness and in bereavement.  Typically, hospice care facilities specialize in palliative care.

Recommended reading: 
 

	Preparing for Approaching Death in Hospice Hands  www.npr.org
	When to Let Go?  Treating cancer sometimes involves walking a fine line between  helping and hurting patients. scienceblogs.com
	GOODBYE, MY FRIENDS -  By Art Buchwald  "Now, to get down to the business at hand, I have had many choices concerning how I wanted to go. Most of them are very civilized, particularly hospice care. A hospice makes it very easy for you when  you decide to go."

How to find hospice care in your area?  

Start with the Yellow Pages and look up Hospice care providers
Also contact local chapters of the American Cancer Society, Agency on Aging, United Way, the Visiting Nurse Association, or your place of worship.  See Resources below.

Obtain a list of licensed agencies by contacting: 

	Your State's hospice organization
	Department of Health or Social Services
	The Blue Pages of your Phone book for other resources in your area.

	Advance Directives: Five Wishes:  http://bit.ly/362YEO  Five Wishes lets your family and doctors know: Who you want to make health care decisions for you when you can't make them. The kind of medical treatment you want or don't want. How comfortable you want to be. How you want people to treat you. What you want your loved ones to know. Link to free presentation guide PDF
	NEW Decide for Yourself: A guide to Healthcare Directives: haponline.org pdf
	'Futile Care:' What to Do When Your Patient Insists on Chemotherapy That Likely Won’t Help James Khatcheressian, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine  cancernetwork.com
	What Is Hospice Care? ACS
	Myths about Hospice Care hospicefoundation.org
	How do I find Hospice Care? ACS
	Voluntary Death: A Comparison of Terminal Dehydration and Physician-Assisted Suicide,  Annals of Internal Medicine  - ACP
	Hospice Education Institute/Hospice Link hospiceworld.org Telephone Number: 800-331-1620 or 860-767-1620 Fax Number: 860-767-2746
	Hospice Foundation of America - www.hospicefoundation.org  Telephone Number: 800-854-3402  Advocate for hospice care. Provides public education and information. Lists hospices in a geographical area.
	Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) jcaho.org  Telephone Number: 630-792-5000 | Fax Number: 630-792-5005 Provides information on accredited hospice agencies.
	Medicare medicare.gov  Telephone Number: 800-633-4227 Answers questions about Medicare benefits and coverage for all Medicare recipients.
	National Association for Home Care (NAHC) - www.nahc.org  Telephone Number: 202-547-7424 | Fax Number: 202-547-3540 Provides a state-by-state database of phone numbers for state home care and hospice agencies.
	National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations (NHPCO's) nhpco.org  Telephone Number: 800-658-8898 (Hospice Helpline) Provides information about hospice programs in your area.
	Hospice Link - Telephone Number: 800-331-1620  Maintains a computerized and continually updated directory of hospice and palliative care programs in the United States; it also provides general information about the principles and practices of good hospice care.
	Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNA) vnaa.org Telephone Number: 1-800-426-2547 - call for the VNA in your area Provides services such as skilled nursing and mental health care, hospice care, and home health care.
	Australia Palliative Care Resources