Over the years, we have heard countless families decline hospice care or pain relief measures because they were afraid it would hasten death. Individuals may have seen patients receive morphine and pass away days, or even hours later at some point in their lives. This is simply a case of correlation verses causation. Meaning that the patient they observed was likely already in their end-of-life journey, and the morphine eased their pain. It did not cause their death. 

What is morphine used for? 

The National Institute on Aging has a helpful section of their website explaining end-of-life care and providing comfort. It explains that morphine treats pain that may be present at end-of-life. It can also be used to ease the feeling of shortness of breath. A hospice nurse with the oversight and approval of a medical director creates a plan of care based on each patient’s unique needs and the level of comfort they have shared they would like.  

What morphine does not do: 

Morphine and other pain medications ease symptoms which are often experienced at end-of-life. They allow patients to rest and relax. Patients are often started at very low doses and carefully monitored to ensure best outcomes with minimal side effects. However, they do not speed up the dying process in any way. Family members should rest assured that these measures are taken to maximize quality of life, not to hasten death.  

Our team understands that there is a lot of fear around the process of death and dying. Our goal is to support both the patient and family physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally on this journey. We are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week if you have questions. Don’t hesitate to call (866) 694-4848.