01/04/2024
Hospice care is often associated with end-of-life treatment, but one lesser-known yet critical aspect is the specialized intervention for dyspnea, or labored breathing, which is a common symptom in terminal illnesses like COPD and advanced cancer. Dyspnea management in a hospice setting goes beyond the standard administration of oxygen. It involves an interdisciplinary approach that includes pharmacologic methods like low-dose opioids and nebulizers, as well as non-pharmacological techniques such as the utilization of handheld fans to stimulate facial nerve endings that, in turn, can mitigate the sensation of breathlessness so that a person is better able to relax.