Nevertheless, research still shows that Americans are more likely to talk to their children about safe sex than to talk to their terminally ill parents about end of life care options.
Experts think the time to discuss end of life care is before illness occurs and it is necessary.
Hospice care is becoming a popular option. The focus of hospice is on caring for the dying, not curing. Hospice care is a team-oriented approach that provides quality care, comfort and dignity to patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. The team includes medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support. It consists of the patient's physician, family caregiver, nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy or other counselors, trained volunteers and speech, physical or occupational therapists, if needed.