Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
  1. Home
  2. Search

Refine search

Refine search

Access:
Content type:
Publication date:
Apply   From and To filters
Subject: Show more
Journals Show more
Publishers: Show more
Societies Show more
Series: Show more
Collections: Show more

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

1 results

  • 7 - Palliative and Hospice Care

  • Barbara A. Reich
  • Book:
    Intimations of Mortality
    Published online:
    10 March 2022
    Print publication:
    17 March 2022, pp 131-152

  • Summary

    Before the middle of the twentieth century, most people died rather abruptly of infection, or in the late stages of untreatable illnesses like cancer and heart disease, or in accidents or battle. It was comparatively rare to die slowly in old age. Now, in the age of modern medicine, protracted deaths from cancer, heart disease, dementia, and frailty are far more common, triggering an ever-increasing need for palliative and hospice care. The current health care system in the United States encourages high-intensity care and high utilization of technology at the end of life while reimbursing comparatively little for services such as coordination of care and advance care planning and counseling. The emphasis on technology and treatment makes sense when it is possible to cure or to prolong a life of acceptable (to the patient) quality. But, when death is approaching, our system sometimes fails the patients who need it most.