Care Synergy In The News 10.16.2026
Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care discusses hospice, palliative care and patient advocacy on KRDO Senior Talk Radio
When someone is living with a serious illness, understanding available care options can help patients and families make informed decisions and feel more confident about the road ahead.
Earlier this month, Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care team members Danielle Smeed, Director of Business Development; Beth Mengelt, Nurse Practitioner; and Lauren Armstrong, Palliative Care Navigator, recorded a segment for KRDO Senior Talk Radio to discuss hospice care, palliative care and the importance of patient advocacy.
Understanding Hospice and Palliative Care
Although hospice and palliative care share a focus on comfort, quality of life and support, they serve different purposes.
Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, managing the challenges of serious illness and improving quality of life. It can be provided alongside treatments intended to cure or control an illness.
Hospice care provides specialized comfort-focused support for people approaching the end of life who meet hospice eligibility requirements. It also supports families and caregivers through the experience.
Understanding these differences can help individuals and families have meaningful conversations with their health care providers about their needs, goals and available options.
Advocating for Yourself or a Loved One
The discussion also explored how to recognize when hospice or palliative care may be beneficial and how to advocate for yourself or someone you love.
Asking questions, sharing concerns with health care providers and discussing personal goals and preferences can help individuals better understand their options. Patients and families don't have to navigate these decisions alone. Care teams can help explain available services and determine what support may be appropriate.
Having these conversations earlier can also give patients and families more time to understand their choices and plan for the care that best reflects their wishes.
Listen to the Conversation
Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care appreciates the opportunity to share information that helps our community better understand hospice and palliative care. Thank you to KRDO Senior Talk Radio for providing a platform for this important conversation.
Listen to the full segment: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-gruxh-1b7576c
Learning about care options is an important step toward making informed decisions and ensuring patients and families have access to the support they need.
Go Back Earlier this month, Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care team members Danielle Smeed, Director of Business Development; Beth Mengelt, Nurse Practitioner; and Lauren Armstrong, Palliative Care Navigator, recorded a segment for KRDO Senior Talk Radio to discuss hospice care, palliative care and the importance of patient advocacy.
Understanding Hospice and Palliative Care
Although hospice and palliative care share a focus on comfort, quality of life and support, they serve different purposes.
Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, managing the challenges of serious illness and improving quality of life. It can be provided alongside treatments intended to cure or control an illness.
Hospice care provides specialized comfort-focused support for people approaching the end of life who meet hospice eligibility requirements. It also supports families and caregivers through the experience.
Understanding these differences can help individuals and families have meaningful conversations with their health care providers about their needs, goals and available options.
Advocating for Yourself or a Loved One
The discussion also explored how to recognize when hospice or palliative care may be beneficial and how to advocate for yourself or someone you love.
Asking questions, sharing concerns with health care providers and discussing personal goals and preferences can help individuals better understand their options. Patients and families don't have to navigate these decisions alone. Care teams can help explain available services and determine what support may be appropriate.
Having these conversations earlier can also give patients and families more time to understand their choices and plan for the care that best reflects their wishes.
Listen to the Conversation
Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care appreciates the opportunity to share information that helps our community better understand hospice and palliative care. Thank you to KRDO Senior Talk Radio for providing a platform for this important conversation.
Listen to the full segment: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-gruxh-1b7576c
Learning about care options is an important step toward making informed decisions and ensuring patients and families have access to the support they need.