The best time to talk about end-of-life issues? It might be during upcoming family gatherings, says a Decorah-based physician

Decorah resident and family physician Deborah Lathrop says the holidays might be a good time to discuss palliative care--specialized medical care for people with serious illness.

Palliative care coordinates the efforts of health care providers to provide relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress of a serious illness. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Although palliative care is an important part of end-of-life care, it is not limited to that stage. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of a serious illness. It can be provided as the main goal of care or offered along with curative treatment. Palliative can be provided across multiple settings including hospitals, the patient's home, and skilled nursing facilities.

Dr. Lathrop suggests that the upcoming family gatherings can provide good opportunities for family discussions on end of life issues and palliative care options. The discussions may be prompted out of necessity if family members notice a significant health decline in a relative. In addition, the gatherings can be a good opportunity for family members to be proactive and discuss future health care issues while everyone is together. Difficult disagreement can be avoided if family members initiate conversations about end of life care now, rather than when it's too late.

In addition to discussions with your family, Dr. Lathrop also stressed the importance of  having open and frequent communication with your doctor regarding your values, wishes, and palliative care preferences.