Do Hospice Patients Have to Stop All Treatments?

Starting hospice care raises a lot of practical questions, especially around what treatments can or should continue. For many, it’s not always clear what hospice means for ongoing medications, therapies, or other forms of care.

It’s a shift in focus, and with that shift comes the need to sort through what’s helpful, what’s no longer needed, and what aligns with comfort and quality of life. Some treatments may stay in place. Others may be adjusted or stopped based on how they affect day-to-day well-being. Making sense of these changes can help bring a greater sense of understanding and control during an unfamiliar time.

Understanding Hospice and the Focus on Comfort
The Shift from Curative to Supportive Care
Medications and Symptom Relief in Hospice
Supportive Therapies That Can Continue
Evaluating Treatments That Manage Disease Progression
Involving the Patient and Family in Decisions
Changing Your Mind About Hospice
Talking with Your Team About Your Care
Respecting Every Journey

Understanding Hospice and the Focus on Comfort

Hospice care is centered on quality of life. It’s designed for people living with a terminal illness who are no longer seeking curative treatment. The goal is not to hasten death or to prolong life at all costs, but to ensure comfort, dignity, and support during a time that can be emotionally and physically overwhelming.

This form of care is delivered wherever the patient lives: at home, in a care facility, or in a dedicated inpatient hospice setting. It involves a team of professionals, including physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, who work together to care for the whole person, not just their symptoms.

What makes hospice different from other types of care is its focus on reducing pain, managing symptoms, supporting emotional and spiritual needs, and helping families navigate the final stages of illness. It’s about making each day as meaningful and comfortable as possible.

The Shift from Curative to Supportive Care

In traditional healthcare settings, the goal is often to cure the illness or slow its progression using aggressive treatment methods like chemotherapy, surgeries, or advanced medical procedures. Hospice care is different. It begins when a person and their doctor decide that continuing to fight the disease is no longer the priority or in line with the person’s goals.

Instead, the focus shifts toward what matters most now: comfort, relief from distress, peace of mind, and time spent with loved ones. Treatments are still part of hospice care, but they’re chosen based on how they contribute to comfort and quality of life, not whether they fight the disease.

Supportive care may include managing pain, easing shortness of breath, treating infections that cause discomfort, and helping with anxiety, nausea, or other challenging symptoms. What’s most important is that the care plan matches the patient’s goals, values, and wishes, every step of the way.

Medications and Symptom Relief in Hospice

One of the most important aspects of hospice is effective symptom control. Medications are not only allowed, they are often essential.

Hospice patients receive medications for a variety of symptoms, including:

Pain
Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
Anxiety or restlessness
Constipation
Insomnia
Respiratory secretions
Emotional or psychological distress

Each medication is carefully chosen based on the patient’s symptoms, response to previous treatments, and overall health. The goal is to find the right balance between relief and alertness.

Medications used in hospice are focused on comfort, not cure. That means we often discontinue medications that no longer provide benefit or may cause unnecessary side effects or treatments that aim to manage long-term risks.

However, this does not mean all medications stop. If a medication is helping someone breathe more easily, feel less anxious, or stay comfortable, it may remain part of the care plan.

Supportive Therapies That Can Continue

Some therapies are not curative, but they offer meaningful benefits to patients. These may continue under hospice care if they are aligned with the patient’s goals and enhance comfort or well-being.

Examples of supportive therapies that can still be part of hospice include:

Oxygen Therapy

This is commonly used to relieve shortness of breath. It may be provided continuously or as needed, depending on the patient’s condition and comfort level.

Physical or Occupational Therapy

Therapies like gentle stretching, guided mobility, or movement exercises can help maintain a sense of independence or prevent complications like joint stiffness or pressure sores. These therapies may be offered in a modified form, focused on improving daily comfort rather than rehabilitation.

Nutritional Counseling

Appetite often changes near the end of life, but eating can still be a source of comfort and connection. Guidance from a hospice nurse or team member can help families provide meals that are easier to digest, more appealing, and aligned with the patient’s wishes.

Wound Care

Some patients experience wounds or skin conditions that require special care. These are managed through dressings, topical treatments, and hygiene support, ensuring pain is minimized and infection risk is controlled.

Spiritual or Emotional Counseling

Support from chaplains, counselors, or social workers is always available, helping patients and families find strength, peace, or closure.

If a treatment improves quality of life or reduces discomfort, it may very well be included in your hospice plan.

Evaluating Treatments That Manage Disease Progression

Some treatments exist in a gray area between curative and supportive care. These might include hormone therapy, low-dose chemotherapy, or dialysis in certain circumstances. Whether or not these are used in hospice depends on their intent.

If a treatment is likely to reduce pain or improve comfort without creating a burden, such as nausea, fatigue, or multiple hospital visits, it may be continued. But if the treatment is primarily meant to fight the illness itself, and no longer improves day-to-day living, it’s often reconsidered.

Each case is unique. Our medical team will work with the patient, family, and any involved specialists to review what’s being prescribed and whether it continues to match the care goals.

Involving the Patient and Family in Decisions

At ProCare Hospice of Nevada, we believe every patient has the right to be part of their care decisions. Our team takes time to explain what’s possible, what’s optional, and what changes might make life easier.

We understand that medical decisions are rarely simple. People may feel unsure about stopping certain medications, or wonder if they’re doing the right thing by saying no to certain procedures. These feelings are valid, and the best way to navigate them is with open communication.

Families are also a vital part of this process. When loved ones feel informed and included, they’re better equipped to support the patient and make decisions together. We encourage open discussions that reflect the patient’s values, lifestyle, and hopes for the time they have now.

Changing Your Mind About Hospice

One of the most important things to know is that choosing hospice care is not a final, irreversible decision. Patients may leave hospice if they decide to pursue curative treatment again or if their condition improves. In some cases, people “graduate” from hospice because their health stabilizes.

Hospice can be resumed later if needed. Insurance programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and most private plans allow patients to re-enroll if they continue to meet eligibility criteria.

This flexibility allows people to explore what hospice can offer without feeling locked in. The care evolves as needs and goals evolve.

Talking with Your Team About Your Care

At every stage, communication is key. Patients and families are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and speak openly with their hospice team.

This might include:

Asking if a certain treatment is still necessary
Expressing concern about side effects or changes in symptoms
Wondering how a new diagnosis affects the plan
Revisiting spiritual or emotional concerns

If you’re not sure whether a treatment is part of hospice, or if it should be, your care team will help talk it through.

Respecting Every Journey

Hospice is not about what’s lost. It’s about what remains: connection, comfort, dignity, and the opportunity to shape the days ahead with intention.

At ProCare Hospice of Nevada, we are here to walk with you through every question, every choice, and every moment that matters.

If you’re exploring hospice or have questions about what’s included, we’re ready to talk with you.
Call ProCare Hospice of Nevada anytime at (702) 380-8300.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I still get medications while on hospice?

Yes. Medications for pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, and other symptoms are included in hospice care. Treatments that focus on comfort are prioritized.

What happens to the medications I was already taking before hospice?

Each medication is reviewed. If it contributes to comfort or well-being, it may continue. If it no longer supports your care goals, it might be safely discontinued.

Can I keep seeing my regular doctor?

Yes. Your primary doctor can remain part of your care team and may collaborate with the hospice physician.

What if I feel better while in hospice?

If your health improves or you choose to resume curative treatment, you can pause hospice care. You can return later if needed.

Is it okay to change my care plan?

Absolutely. Your care plan can be adjusted at any time to reflect your changing needs, preferences, and comfort goals. Just speak with your team.