I believe this is happening to a certain extent. In my opinion, the present day physicians, the American Medical Society and affiliates need to present seminars on these issues. Local hospitals through their Ethics Committees should also present this type of seminar. The person can be treated for the nausea associated with taking morphine and codeine drugs so that her pain and the side-effects of pain medication can both be controlled. The difference between hospice and palliative care is now starting to blur.
Most hospices accept patients receiving palliative care which is care given for comfort.
Medicare has defined hospice care to be limited to those with a life expectancy of less than six months whereas palliative care has no time frame and is aimed at symptom management not curing a disease process. This is such a critical time in one's life that it would make sense to move up North to be among family or ask a family member to relocate to help with care. All of these items are addressed in a legal document and the person simply answers these questions. There is counseling for children with a terminal parent at Hope Hospice. Please contact Wayne Leaver, Director of Bereavement at Hope Hospice.