Once a care plan has been established and agreed upon, it is necessary to decide where patients will live out their remaining days. Choices for dying patients include being cared for at home, in the hospital, or in an inpatient hospice care facility. Regarding home care, it is necessary to determine if there are resources available, such as family members and home care attendants. In addition, family members must consider the physical and emotional factors involved in caring for a loved one. When deciding on inpatient hospice or hospital care, it is important to try to insure that the special needs of a dying patient will be met in each setting, including extended visiting hours and private rooms that are large enough to accommodate visitors.
Treatment is offered in an effort to restore a level of psychological and spiritual well-being.
For psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression, treatment includes supportive psychotherapy and the use of antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs. Psychotherapy may include relaxation training, imagery, distraction, coping training, and restructuring negative thoughts. Spiritual distress may be confronted with curative approaches that address feelings of disappointment, remorse, and loss of personal identity. Some patients receive comfort from talking to a chaplain or minister about such topics as religion, death, and afterlife. Resources For more information on palliative care, please visit our Resource Center .