Patients often express a greater fear of the process of dying than of death itself. This is largely due to the fact that they will have to endure pain and other distressing symptoms.

Hospice nurses are skilled in the assessment and management of end-of-life symptoms, especially pain. Together with the patient's physician and in consultation with the Hospice Medical Director and Hospice Interdisciplinary Team, the RN Case Manager is usually able to institute a regime that successfully manages pain in 85% of cases. The goal of Hospice is to provide pain/symptom management while keeping the patient alert and functional for as long as possible. The management of pain may be more successful and complete when analgesics are combined with other drugs, such as those for anxiety, which enhance their therapeutic effect.

The management of pain and other distressing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting can usually be accomplished at home with medications taken by mouth. When the oral route is no longer feasible, Hospice has the resources available through our contracted pharmacy to "compound" medication into forms that can be delivered "transdermally" (applied to the skin) or rectally. Medication delivered by these routes is easily managed by the caregiver, can be administered without causing further discomfort to the patient and does not require the use of "high tech" equipment.

Since the medications used in the management of pain may produce the undesired effect of constipation, patients may be instructed to take a stool softener or laxative as a preventative measure.

When patients can no longer control bladder function, a foley catheter may be inserted to relieve urinary incontinence and/or retention.

Caregivers are instructed in the care of the patient to optimize comfort and personal safety. Alternating pressure mattresses may be provided to minimize the chance of bedsore formation as the patient becomes progressively more bed-ridden.

Drugs related to the condition for which you are admitted to Hospice are covered under most Hospice Insurance benefits. Learn more about Hospice prescription drug benefits.