"Pain is what the patient says it is". Discomfort, aching, restlessness, anxiety or cramping. A main objective of Hospice is to keep your loved one at home free of pain. Here are a few guidelines to follow.

Give oral pain medications at the prescribed times. This maintains a level of pain medication and keeps the patient comfortable.

When a person is alert, they can tell you when they are in pain. When a patient is unresponsive or in a coma-like state, they will not be able to communicate what they are feeling. Look for signs of restlessness, moaning or wincing. These are non-verbal signs of pain. Continue to give medication as prescribed and change the patient's position for comfort.

All patients should be as comfortable as possible. If for any reason the pain medication is not working, call the Hospice nurse. A plan of action will be taken either to increase the pain medication or change it.

Some medications are given as a suppository. The Hospice nurse can show you how to administer a dosage. If you are giving pain medication by mouth and the patient is having difficulty swallowing the pill, call the Hospice nurse. Pain medication can be prescribed in a different form or prepared in a different manner.