by - Alan Kaplan, MD, Chief Medical Officer
The North Star of hospice care has always been based on a simple guiding question: How do you feel today?
At Alleviate Care, this question shapes our entire approach. If our patients feel good, we’re doing our job. And if they feel unwell, we’ll do everything possible to address their symptoms and make them more comfortable.
The simplicity of asking a patient how they feel is beautiful. Unlike other areas of medicine that can be complicated and ambiguous, hospice care is truly as pure as it gets. That’s what I love about it. Hospice uniquely prioritizes comfort, dignity, and connection—for patients as well as families—during the end-of-life journey.
Understanding the Human Goals in Hospice Care
The human goals of hospice are clear: Comfort and quality of life, holistic care, patient autonomy, dignity, and family support. These goals guide every aspect of our approach to hospice at Alleviate, ensuring that we not only address our patients’ physical symptoms, but also their emotional and social needs. By treating them with dignity and prioritizing their comfort, we make it possible for them to focus on what truly matters in their final days.
The Role of Compassionate Care
In practice, compassionate care means prioritizing the patient's unique needs and preferences. One of the first things I did when I stepped into my role at Alleviate was ask all of our nurses to write their patients’ top two goals of care at the top of every note. It’s a simple practice that ensures we are always aligned with what matters most to our patients.
For example, If a patient’s primary goal is to avoid the hospital, we focus on keeping them comfortable at home, surrounded by loved ones. We also know that many hospice patients experience the sensation of nausea, so we are proactive and do everything we can to reduce this symptom.
Recent studies have provided more insight into the benefits of hospice for patients and their families. They prove what those of us in the industry see firsthand every day: Hospice improves pain control, reduces prolonged grief and emotional distress, increases satisfaction and quality of life, and reduces physical and emotional distress. We focus on compassionate care so our patients can experience dignity and comfort, and ultimately a more peaceful end-of-life journey.
Combining Human and Medical Goals
When we align clinical objectives, such as symptom management, with the human goals of comfort and dignity, we shape a holistic approach to care that’s focused on quality of life. The result is that hospice patients are far more likely to feel satisfied with their care experience.
It’s important to us that our patients and their families feel valued, heard, and respected throughout the hospice journey. Family involvement in patient care has been proven to enhance hospice. Family members play an important role by providing emotional connection and advocacy for their loved one. Their involvement can also improve care plan adherence and overall health outcomes. Our dedicated team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers works closely with families to create personalized care plans that honor each patient’s unique needs and wishes.
Our Commitment to Compassion
How do you feel today? We ask our patients this question every day, but it’s more than just routine. It’s a heartfelt commitment to understanding their goals and ensuring our patients receive the compassionate care they deserve. Supportive hospice care is a partnership between the care team, patient, and their family. We’re in this together.
Alleviate Care is Southern California’s trusted hospice provider.
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