The Benefits of Hospice Care for COPD Patients

When I was growing up, my grandmother was abruptly diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, which rapidly declined in a matter of weeks. The term hospice was reserved for the end of life, void of care, support, and hope.

It was frightening to see my family struggle in vain to provide care for the matriarch of our family. My grandmother did not want to die in a hospital, so the only signs of her condition were the large green oxygen tanks in the room and the tears that fell.

Hospice and palliative care for COPD patients

Let’s talk about the differences between care levels.

Hospice care is set to focus on comfort care instead of an aggressive, curative model that most people elect to pursue if possible.  Aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and other therapies are no longer in use.

Palliative care has emerged as a bridge between regular care and hospice. Pain and symptom management are present to help the patient live the best quality of life.  Treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy are still in use with palliative care.

For a COPD patient and care team, the discussion to enter into the next phase of care is deeply personal. The mention of the word hospice instantly took me back to the time when I was that 8-year-old scared little granddaughter, overwhelmed by the medical smell and rampant emotions of family members. We seemed to be on an island, and no one was coming to save my grandmother.

Modern hospice care

Hospice care today is lightyears away from that of the late 1980s. My mom was in her third hospitalization for COPD flare-ups, and this time, she added a horrible fall to the mix.

I had to speak to the nurse social worker by phone on my way home to shower and change. The call was brief but important.

I wanted to schedule a time for the social worker and nurse case manager to come into her room to discuss with my mom her thoughts on starting either palliative care or hospice care. I was aware that she would qualify for either due to her deteriorating condition, but I wanted to include her in the discussion.

As my mom’s medical power of attorney, I had the power and responsibility to make decisions for my mom and was prepared to enter the request for hospice. Luckily, my mom agreed to start hospice.

It provided a choice to enter into a facility or have hospice care at home. We elected to have hospice care at home.

We had nursing visits a few times a week, with supportive medicines and therapy. A massage therapist came once a week, and a CNA provided respite for me.

The team also consisted of a social worker and a chaplain. The hospice experience was not without familiar tears but was also filled with the comfort of our home, and I was able to be present with my mom in her peaceful passing.

A path to hope and comfort

Hospice does not always end in a patient passing away. Many people graduate from hospice and go to palliative care and even back to regular care.

The current hospice model is filled with hope, comfort, and support.