Being referred to hospice doesn’t necessarily mean you are immediately dying. During an illness that is terminal, you or your loved ones may talk with your doctor and decide that the treatments meant to cure or slow the disease are no longer working, or you’re ready to stop them. In such cases, your doctor can make a referral for hospice care.
Hospice care focuses on providing relief from pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms so that you can concentrate on the people and things you care about the most. It aims to improve the quality of your life rather than trying to cure the disease.
Some people might think that using hospice means they’re giving up, while others may worry that they won’t get the medical care they need. However, hospice care is about offering compassionate support, managing symptoms effectively, and ensuring comfort, allowing you to make the most of your time with loved ones. Being referred to Hospice means that the team looking after you has asked for some advice or assistance in caring for you.
For some people it might mean using the specialist skills that we have to help solve a difficult problem that you may have.
It might mean supporting you or your family emotionally. If you need ongoing help we are here.
