There seems to be a mis-understanding that if someone needs Palliative Care (in the hospital), they might as well be heading to the cemetery. I have these discussions with people sometimes, where they look anxious & worried when the word "Palliative" is mentioned. As healthcare providers, we work hard to deal with pain in particular, to try to help patients get what they need. And as it becomes obvious to us that someone is likely not going to recover, and is, in fact, deteriorating... that's when the thought of Palliative Care comes to mind.
I have friends who are part of the Palliative Care team and I suspect they feel mis-understood when people refuse the offer of their services, because they think of Palliative Care as being at the very final end of life. But we have many patients who receive much better pain management, and other symptom management (nausea, constipation,etc) because the Palliative Care team are experts in making those subtle combinations of drugs work well--and keep people as functional and comfortable as possible.
As well, they are the ones whose kind and gentle faces, hands and voices are there to provide solace and support during what can be a long, exhausting process of moving from life to death. A natural thing, but still very hard to accept for many people.
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