HopeHealth Blog

Multigenerational family on the beach. The grandfather is able to enjoy time with family because his symptoms are managed by palliative care.

Ask the expert: What is palliative care?

It is a term tossed around in our industry, to the point where patients can get confused, so we help to answer the simple question: what is palliative care? Palliative care is a relatively new medical subspecialty that helps patients who are living with a serious illness. Its recognition is growing, but people are still confused about what it is and how it differs from hospice care. Jennifer Ritzau, MD, director of palliative care and medical director at HopeHealth, shares five facts to know about palliative care.

Public figures such as Barbara Bush, Aretha Franklin, and Senator John McCain utilized comfort care services at the end of their lives

When Public Figures Choose End of Life Comfort Care

In recent months, America has witnessed three public figures choose comfort care in their last days of life: Barbara Bush, Aretha Franklin and Senator John McCain. Although we don’t know exactly when during the course of their illness they chose to suspend curative treatment, we do know that each of them wanted to spend their last days at home with those they love.

How therapy dogs bring cheer to hospice care

For people who are terminally ill, animal-assisted therapy has been shown to address the basic needs of love, belongingness and self-esteem, according to a 2014 study published in the psychology journal of Mount Saint Mary College. Animal therapy is also associated with natural pain management and emotional support, a decrease in loneliness and an increase in socialization.

Grandmother and granddaughter holding hands - you only see a close of up their hands

Keep moving forward: palliative care and breast cancer

Three decades ago, Marlene McCarthy was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 44. She then spent many years in doctors’ offices and clinics, enduring multiple treatments and therapies and suffering intense chronic pain. A few years ago, Marlene’s primary care physician recommended palliative care, leading her to Dr. Jennifer Ritzau of Hope Palliative Care, part of the HopeHealth family of services.

Share Your Story

  • How have you experienced hope under our care? Did a HopeHealth caregiver touch the life of you or your family? Please let us know! We would welcome your testimonial for our website and printed materials. (You can choose to remain anonymous.) By sharing your story, other families struggling with a serious illness might be inspired to call us and get the care they need.

  • Leave Name Blank to Remain Anonymous
  • Please Provide a Phone Number or Email We Can Use to Reach You
  • (We will contact you only to verify details, but your final testimonial can be anonymous. Your name can only be used with your written approval.)
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Back to top