Choosing Between Hospice or Palliative Care Indianapolis IN

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Recently I wrote an article for family members of patients who could benefit from hospice care and/or palliative care , in which I discussed the factors that physicians must consider in referring hospice or palliative care options to their patients. In this article, I will explore the topic in greater depth, discussing the similarities as well as the differences between the two primary options: hospital-based palliative care and traditional hospice-based palliative care.

Hospital-Based Palliative Care

Hospital-based palliative care comes into play following a patient's hospital admission , and prior to discharge. For example, if the physician orders chemotherapy, it could be administered in the hospital—but not by the hospice—as chemotherapy is considered a therapy (and precludes hospice admission). It is important to remember that hospitals are acute facilities that strive to restore patients to optimum function. Very simply, this means that they focus on therapeutic, rehabilitative measures. When that is not a viable option due to a patient's terminal or life-limiting disease , the hospital-based palliative care team can assist the physician in structuring a plan of care that strives to maximize quality of life while managing pain and symptoms . In this situation, the palliative care team might suggest an early hospice referral, as the patient would be leaving the hospital setting. Generally, while the patient's doctor and the hospital-based p...

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Peoplefirst HomeCare and Hospice

Join us at Peoplefirst HomeCare and Hospice. We are seeking volunteers to support hospice patients and families.

317-381-0095
2415 Director's Row, Suite C
Indianapolis, IN
www.peoplefirsthomecareandhospice.com

The Peoplefirst Hospice program embraces the traditional hospice concept of family-oriented carfe focused on the patient's comfort and quality of living in life's final season. The care is designed to meet both emotional and physical needs, and includes:
*treating the patient and loved ones together as one unit
*total coordination of care through our team working with your physician and/or our medical director
*caring for the patient in familiar, comfortable surroundings, whether it is a private residence, nursing center, or assisted living residence
*symptom relief and pain control including medications for palliative (comfort) care
*providing medical equipment and supplies
*supporting the family and other loved ones through education and counseling, including bereavement care
*respite care
*staff available for support 24 hours a day, seven days a week