Pain is one of the most common symptoms for patients in hospice care.
There are different 'types of pain' (nerve, body) - describe how the pain feels to the Hospice Team. It will help with choosing the best medication to use.
The goal of hospice is to minimize suffering and maximize comfort at the end of life. Control of pain is very important in achieving this goal.
It is important to know that pain can arise from physical causes, but also be the result of emotional, spiritual, and existential distress.
Pain is often divided into three tiers. The Hospice Team may ask you to rate the pain on this scale to help determine the most appropriate medication and dose.
Mild-moderate, pain on scale of 1-5 out of 10
Moderate-severe, pain of 6-8 out of 10
Severe, pain greater than 8
Use this pain scale as a guide to assessing the severity of pain. However, the most important
measure is to ask and listen!
Tylenol (Acetaminophen), NSAIDs (Advil, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Aleve)
Lidocaine patch if localized area
'Weaker' Opioids for moderate pain- Hydrocodone, Codeine, Tramadol (Ultram)
Opioids - Morphine (MS Contain, other brand names), Oxycontin, Fentanyl Patches, Methadone
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Contact Hospice Team to help with proper dosing and timing of medications
Anxiety medications - Lorazepam (Click Here) https://partnerforcare.com/ContentManagement/15
Relaxation techniques - quiet room, soft lighting, music, meditation
Discuss whether visitors/company is helping or making things worse
Be open to discussing emotional and spiritual issues
Hospice has social workers and chaplains trained to discuss difficult topics. Use them!
Partner for Care is your trusted companion, offering a comprehensive repository of resources and guidance to support you every step of the way in your caregiving journey. With our user-friendly platform, you can access vital information and assistance whenever you need it.
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