Palliative Care Is NOT a Diagnosis: Why Language Matters
When you hear the word palliative, what comes to mind?For many people - and even for some healthcare providers - the assumption is this: palliative means terminal. But this misunderstanding…
The Patient Who Changed How I Talk About CPR
The Patient Who Changed How I Talk About CPR As a palliative care physician, I've had countless conversations about "code status" - the medical term for what lifesaving measures a…
Finding the Right Words: How to Support Someone Facing a Serious Illness
When someone receives difficult medical news, the words we choose can either build a bridge of understanding or create an emotional wall. As a palliative care physician, I've witnessed countless…
The Power of the Pause: How Timing Shapes Empathy in Medical Conversations
When receiving difficult news, words certainly matter—but so does the way they are delivered! In serious illness conversations, the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling supported often comes down to…
Hearing at the End of Life: What Families Need to Know
When a loved one is in their final days, family members often wonder how to connect with them—especially when the person is no longer responding. One question comes up frequently:…
Palliative Chemotherapy: What You Need To Know
When you're faced with a new cancer diagnosis, it's natural to want to start treatment as soon as possible. But before you dive in, it's also important to make an informed choice about your treatment plan. That's why you need to know the ins and outs of a common term used in oncology: "palliative chemotherapy." Let’s unravel this term so that you know what questions to ask your oncologist if you're being offered palliative chemotherapy.
Managing Nausea When You Can’t Swallow Pills
Nausea is miserable, isn't it? We are fortunate to have many anti-nausea medications to choose from these days. But what are you supposed to do when you have nausea that’s so bad that you can’t keep down the pills that are supposed to make your nausea better?
Palliative Care versus Hospice Care
What's the difference? Quite a lot!
Dementia and Hospice Care
When does someone living with dementia qualify for hospice?
The Role of Speech-Language Pathology in Hospice and Palliative Care
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can be your key to navigating some of the most common threats to the quality of your life when you’re living with a serious illness. Find out how in this post!