Discover how hospice care in Lakeland, FL, effectively manages chronic, acute, and neurological pain through personalized treatments, emotional support, and compassionate care focused on comfort and dignity.
Introduction
Managing pain is one of the top concerns families face when choosing hospice care in Lakeland, FL. Whether your loved one has cancer, kidney failure, or a neurological disease like Parkinson’s or ALS, it’s essential to understand how hospice care teams treat pain.
Pain can be complex—and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Hospice care professionals effectively manage chronic and acute pain, as well as neuropathic and nociceptive pain, to ensure comfort and dignity during life’s most sensitive moments.
To better understand pain management in a hospice setting, we spoke with Michele Sandoval, Regional Director with Chapters Health Hospice in north central Florida. With nearly a decade of experience, Michele shares valuable insights into how patients in Lakeland, FL benefit from thoughtful, personalized pain relief.
Types of Pain Treated in Hospice Care
✅ Chronic Pain
This pain persists over time and is common in long-term illnesses like cancer, liver disease, and neurological disorders. Hospice care providers in Lakeland, FL typically begin managing chronic pain with acetaminophen or NSAIDs.
As symptoms worsen, they may introduce medications like Tramadol or low-dose opioids. In advanced cases, they use morphine or oxycodone—always adjusting treatment to match the patient’s specific needs and comfort levels.
Michele explains that emotional and psychological health also play a role. “Sometimes we add anti-anxiety or anti-depression medications,” she says. “Pain isn’t always physical—it can be spiritual or emotional too.”
✅ Acute Pain
Acute pain comes on suddenly—often after surgery or injury—and typically lasts for a short time. Hospice teams in Lakeland address this pain quickly using NSAIDs, ice/heat therapy, and mild painkillers when necessary.
✅ Neuropathic Pain
This type is caused by nerve damage and can feel like burning, stabbing, or tingling. Seen in diseases like Parkinson’s and ALS, it’s managed with medications like Gabapentin, Lyrica, and topical treatments like lidocaine patches. Hospice professionals use careful monitoring and feedback to ensure relief without overmedicating.
✅ Nociceptive Pain
Conditions like arthritis or injuries commonly cause this type of pain. Care teams manage it using anti-inflammatories. If the pain worsens, they may administer mild opioids. They also sometimes recommend physical therapy or nerve blocks. In Lakeland hospice care, the team makes every decision with the goal of minimizing discomfort while preserving the patient’s clarity and peace.
Compassionate Pain Relief – Beyond Medication
A major myth about hospice is that patients are overmedicated and sedated. That’s simply not true—especially at Chapters Health System.
“We don’t automatically jump to opioids,” says Michele. “We use a wide range of comfort therapies, from music and aromatherapy to prayer and repositioning immobile patients.”
This whole-person approach is what makes hospice care in Lakeland, FL so compassionate and trusted. Families are educated on treatment options, and patients are empowered to find relief in ways that align with their beliefs and values.
Even Dr. Andrea Enzinger of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute supports this mindset, saying:
“Fear of addiction is valid, but it shouldn’t drive care decisions—especially in advanced disease cases.”
The Bottom Line for Lakeland Families
Pain doesn’t have to define your loved one’s final chapter. With the right hospice care in Lakeland, FL, comfort, peace, and dignity are always within reach.
Chapters Health Hospice offers pain relief plans customized to each individual. We provide skilled, compassionate care to ease your loved one’s chronic, acute, or neurological pain and uplift their spirit.
Compassionate Hospice Care in Lakeland, FL with Chapters Health
At Chapters Health System, we believe that end-of-life care should be centered around comfort, dignity, and compassion. As a leading provider of hospice care in Lakeland, FL, we support patients and their families with personalized pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care.
Over 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, and thousands in Florida alone rely on end-of-life services—making the demand for thoughtful, high-quality hospice care greater than ever.
Our experienced care teams help your loved one every step of the way—whether they face advanced illness, need pain relief, or simply deserve peace in their final days.
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✨Choose compassionate hospice care for your loved one—connect with Chapters Health today.