hospice ethics

Hospice ethics revolves around providing compassionate, respectful care to individuals with terminal illness, focusing on comfort rather than cure. It emphasizes honoring patient autonomy—respecting their wishes and choices—even if they decline certain treatments. Care teams prioritize dignity, quality of life, and pain management, while making difficult decisions like when to transition from curative efforts to comfort care. Ethical challenges may include balancing honesty with hope, managing family dynamics, and respecting cultural values. Ultimately, hospice ethics aims to ensure patients’ final phase is handled with empathy, integrity, and respect for their dignity and rights.