What is symptom management?

Symptom management in hospice means residents that receive aggressive care are less likely to suffer from their underlying condition.

The Goal

The goal of end-of-life care is to provide comfort and relief from suffering, not necessarily to prolong life. Hospice and palliative medicine focuses on relieving physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and practical needs at the end of life. It includes both medical and complementary therapies.

Total symptom relief includes not only physical aspects of symptoms but also psychological, social, and even spiritual aspects of suffering. This will then help the resident feel more comfortable, but it will not treat or cure the diseases.

What can you expect?

What they can receive through hospice and palliative programs are medicines to relieve pain or to relieve symptoms related to what ails them. There are also non-pharmacological treatments that include acupuncture, hypnosis, music therapy, massage, relaxation techniques, and yoga. 

If the resident finds themselves in a constant need to be taken care of, consider hospice care for them.