End of Life Care

End of life care has always been important and for that reason Hoag has a comprehensive palliative care program. The Palliative Care Team provides inpatient and outpatient services to maximize the quality of life for people with serious and life-threatening illnesses. The focus is on preventing, treating, reducing or removing discomfort whenever and however it appears through careful attention to pain and symptom management. Palliative care respectfully addresses well-being and treats physical, emotional, social, spiritual and financial needs. The Hoag program, which is based on national best practices and has emerged as a national leader, has helped thousands of people endure a difficult time.

The request for aid-in-dying is a doctor-patient decision. Participation in activities authorized under the new legislation is voluntary. The legislation allows for organizations and physicians to elect not to participate in dispensing end of life drugs to patients. Hoag and the Hoag Medical Staff have chosen to use palliative care to treat patients with serious and life-threatening illnesses. The focus is on preventing, treating, reducing or removing discomfort whenever and however it appears through careful attention to pain and symptom management. Palliative care respectfully addresses well-being and treats physical, emotional, social, spiritual and financial needs. This means the dispensing of end of life drugs will not take place at a Hoag facility. It is important to note that independent members of Hoag Medical Staff are able to make autonomous decisions regarding their participation in what will be a legal option for their patients; however, those personal decisions are limited while exercising privileges at Hoag.

The staff at Hoag understand that this may be a difficult time for you and your family. Realizing this, and anticipating the anxiety and fear you may experience while caring for your loved one, we have provided information to help you understand and respond to the symptoms indicative of impending death.

The end of life process is unique to each person. We encourage you to use the guidelines on the End of Life web pages to understand this process, and realize that not all of these described symptoms will appear at the same time, and some may never appear. These symptoms are merely the natural progression of the body as it prepares for the final stage of life. For some individuals, this process could take months, for others, hours or days. The hospital staff is here to answer questions, provide support and assist you in any way possible. You and your family are encouraged to utilize the support services provided by Hoag.

If your loved one has an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) or Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), please provide a copy to the medical staff. An AHCD designates a decision maker if your loved one is incapable of understanding a proposed treatment or becomes unable to communicate their wishes regarding care. Hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital shall comply with these directives. All patient’s rights apply to the person who has legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on your behalf. If an AHCD is not available, and your loved one wants life-sustaining procedures to be withheld, the physician can write an order reflecting your loved one’s wishes.

Remember to pay attention to your own needs during this difficult time. Get plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet and exercise. Be aware of symptoms of stress and fatigue, such as headaches, nausea, heartburn or shortness of breath.

Please feel free to contact Hoag Palliative Care Program at 949-764-8585 and Hoag Spiritual Care at 949-764-8358 for emotional and spiritual support. We are available to help you during this time of uncertainty.

To learn more, download a brochure on comfort, care and support for end of life.

On behalf of the entire staff at Hoag, we wish to express our regrets and sympathy for the loss of your loved one. Because this is a painful time and one that is difficult to prepare for, we have compiled a list of resources and information that might be helpful to you during this distressing time.

The first section is to provide you with information about the complex decisions, which you and your family will be faced within the days and weeks to come. The second section will discuss the emotions you and your family may experience as you go through the next steps of coping with your loss.

We understand making decisions can be difficult, so Hoag offers resources to assist you, including support groups, social services and spiritual care. Please feel free to contact social services at 949-764-8585 with any questions or concerns that you may have about your emotional well-being or next steps.

Next Steps Resource Guide – Read about what next steps you should take for preparations and healing. This guide also includes a list of mortuaries and helpful resources.

When a loved one dies, it can be difficult to know how to help children cope with the loss, particularly as you work through your own grief. How much kids can understand about death depends largely on their age, life experiences, and personality.

Helping a Child Cope with Grief – Learn more about how to help a child cope with death, including some helpful resources.

The Bereavement Program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian provides support, education and guidance for people in our community throughout the grieving process. Through sharing similar experiences, group members will give and receive emotional support and have the opportunity to connect with others in the community.

Oncology Bereavement Support Group – A grief support group for participants over the age of 18, supporting those who have lost a loved one to cancer. Registration is required. This group is offered free of charge to the community. For more information, please call 949-722-6237.

Grief Recovery Series – Join us for an 8 week series that provides a safe environment for you to look at your old beliefs about dealing with loss, which losses have affected your life and take actions that will lead you to complete unresolved emotions that may still be causing you pain. Evaluation by group leader is required prior to registration. This group has a small materials fee associated with registration. For more information, please call 949-722-6237.

Hoag At Home Hospice Bereavement Support Groups:

Women’s Grief Support Group: A general grief support group for women over the age of 18, offering support to those who have lost a loved one. Registration is not required. This group is offered free of charge to the community. For more information, please call 949-736-6101.

Men’s Grief Support Group: A general grief support group for men over the age of 18, offering support to those who have lost a loved one. Registration is not required. This group is offered free of charge to the community. For more information, please call 949-736-6101.

LGBTQ Grief Support Group: A grief support group for the LGBTQ community, anyone over the age of 18, offering support to those who have lost a loved one. Registration is not required. This group is offered free of charge to the community. For more information, please call 949-736-6101.

Please visit our community education page to register for the support group that best matches your needs.